Minister Heydon signs new Noxious Weeds Order to include Blackgrass
- Published on: 14 May 2025
- Last updated on: 15 May 2025
The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon, signed a new Statutory Instrument on Noxious Weeds, effective from 14 May 2025. Blackgrass, an annual grass, non-native to Ireland and found mostly in arable systems of the UK and the continent, has been designated a noxious weed for the first time. This Statutory Instrument also consolidates all secondary legislation on noxious weeds, codifies the existing species of noxious weeds with their botanical names and in addition, the legislation limits controls to certain species of thistle and dock.
Under the Noxious Weeds Act, 1936 it is an offence for owners and occupiers of land not to prevent the spread of specified weeds. The noxious weeds specified in the legislation are: Blackgrass (Alopecurus myosuroides Huds.), Broad-Leaved Dock (Rumex obtusifolius L.), Common Ragwort (Jacobaea vulgaris Gaertn.), Creeping Thistle (Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop.), Curled Dock (Rumex crispus L.), Spear Thistle (Cirsium vulgare (Savi) Ten.), Spring Wild Oat (Avena fatua L.) and Winter Wild Oat (Avena sterilis L.).
The department launched a Public Consultation on 1 November 2004, setting out proposals to amend the existing secondary legislation on noxious weeds. The inclusion of Blackgrass in the legislation was a recommendation of the Food Vision 2030 Tillage Report to assist in controlling and preventing the spread of problem grass weeds on Irish farms.
Minister Heydon said:
“Blackgrass poses a significant weed control challenge in this country. Adding Blackgrass to the list of noxious weeds now requires landowners to take responsibility for the control of this weed on their land. It is also timely to remind farmers, Local Authorities and others that it is an offence for owners and occupiers of land not to prevent the spread of noxious weeds."
The Minister added:
“For advice on the most effective way to prevent the spread of noxious weeds, please contact your local agricultural advisor."
The department issues ‘Notices to Destroy’ letters in all instances where it becomes aware of the presence of noxious weeds, either from inspections or as a result of reports made by the public. In addition, farmers are obliged under conditionality requirements to take appropriate measures to prevent the spread of noxious weeds under Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition (GAEC) number 8. Failure to do so may result in the application of a reduction of their area-based payments.
The department also engages with all County Councils, Local Authorities and the National Roads Authority to ensure a consistent programme of treatment and disposal of noxious weeds on an ongoing basis.