Plan to manage toxic plants
A policy is currently being drawn up by the Council to manage harmful Invasive Plant Species in the county, such as Japanese Knotweed and the toxic Giant Hogweed.
The first plant damages the foundations of houses, farm buildings and blocks drains. The second, also known as giant cow parsnip or wild rhubarb, is highly dangerous to humans. It can cause severe toxic burns in humans that can take up to six years to heal, and even blindness in some cases.
Cllr Dara Mulvey asked the Council to draw up the policy, claiming many people were afraid the presence of Japanese Knotweed could affect them getting planning permission.
“In 90% of cases it spreads by people cutting it. Removing invasive plants can be expensive and can take twice yearly spraying over 2 or 3 years and people must get a licence from the National Park and Wildlife Service to dispose safely of the infected soil and knotweed,” he said.
He called on the Council to do more to inform people how to identify and to deal with invasive plants and to start a process of mapping these invasive plant species around Sligo. It is only recently that signs have been put up in some locations to alert people not to cut the plant.
Cllr Bree said he was also contacted by residents of the 2nd Sea Road who pointed out that the grass margin on the road is infested with Japanese Knotweed.
Council officials said that while they were drawing up a policy for removing the plants from public roads, it was up to landowners to safely remove them from private land.