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Knotweed a ‘very real danger’ to the countryside

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THE domination of Japanese Knotweed across the county “represents a very real danger” to the countryside, a meeting of councillors has heard.
Councillor Brian Meaney was speaking during a meeting of Clare County Council, where the detrimental effects of the weed on the county were highlighted. Calls were made to make available on Clare County Council’s website details of a chemical process that can remove the weed. At this week’s meeting, Councillor PJ Kelly urged that a plan be put in place to remove Japanese Knotweed from roadsides.

He was informed by Anne Haugh, director of services, that the council is “concious” of an escalating presence of invasive weed species, such as Japanese Knotweed, at various locations in the vicinity of public roads. Plans are underway to map the areas where the problem is most prolific.

She went on, “The hope will be to prioritise as appropriate , the elimination of the species from the worst-affected areas initially.

“Unfortunately, there is no specific funding allocation from any source to deal with this issue. To deal with the matter can be quite onerous and costly given that, in most cases a number of treatments to be applied periodically are required in each instance before successful eradication is achieved. We have already applied treatment at a number of locations in the county this year.”

Councillor Kelly described the problem as “very predominant” and something that needs to be irradicated. He urged that every effort should be made in transplanting soil to ensure no Knotweed roots are present. He called on the council to make details available details of chemicals that will remove the weed. He commented that organisations such as tidy towns committees would be happy to carry out the work once they know that efforts will do the job.

Councillor Pat Hayes described the spread of the weed as “rampant” and “damaging a lot of the natural environment”. Councillor Michael Begley added that hogweed is also causing problems in the county, stating a lot of private land is harbouring the offending plants. Councillor Oliver Garry stated, “It’s a problem in most parts of the county and it seems it can be spread by just a clipping falling on the ground.”
Councillor Christy Curtin urged, “We need a job of action on it.”

Councillor Meaney recalled that in 2005 he sought advice from the department on control of the weed at a time “when it was beginning to take hold in Clare”. “We do need to take this seriously, this is an issue that has been identified many times. This represents a real danger, in parts of the county this is completely dominating the flora of the countryside.”

The council executive agreed to provide information on the chemicals needed to erradicate the noxious weed on the Clare County Council webside.

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