Changes to the way the Department will deal with injurious weeds have come into force after changes to the Weeds Act (1957) gained Royal Assent earlier this month. These changes recognise the need to control weeds to protect agriculture and livestock, whilst taking a more relaxed approach to the presence of weeds in other areas. The changes come after a period of public consultation and extensive collaboration between the Department and key stakeholders.
 
The major change to the Act sees the removal of clauses that previously meant that all owners or occupiers with injurious weeds on their land were automatically in breach of the Act after the 1st of August (or sooner if the listed species were in flower). It will now only be an offence if no action is taken to control weeds once a notice has been issued by the Department. Also included is a provision to enable the creation a ‘Code of best practice for the management of ragwort Senecio jacobaea’.
 
Finally, giant hogweed Heracleum mantegazzianum has been removed from the Act in recognition of its inclusion as an invasive non-native species on the Wildlife Act, 1990.
 
In anticipation of the changes to the Act a ‘Code of Best Practice for the management of ragwort’, also known as the ‘Cushag Code’, has been developed in partnership between DEFA, the Manx National Farmers Union, Manx Horse Council, Wildflowers of Mann and the Department of Infrastructure.
 
Walter Gilbey, Secretary of the Manx Horse Council and Chairman of the Isle of Man Branch of the British Horse Society said “I acknowledge the reasons for these amendments to the Act. However, ragwort is toxic and is a risk to livestock, particularly horses. That is why the Manx Horse Council has collaborated with the Department to ensure that these changes to the Act still protect the welfare of horses and other stock. The Code of Best Practice recognises the interests of all interested parties and provides common-sense management guidelines on the control of ragwort”.
 
Phil Gawne, DEFA Minister commented “I welcome these changes as a common sense approach to an age-old issue. Hansard records that injurious weeds have been debated in the House of Keys as far back as 1898. The revised Act adopts a modern approach to the control of weeds and the Code of Practice provides all the guidance that anyone might need on the subject”
 
‘FAQ’ on The Weeds Act can be read at
http://cf.gov.im/categories/the-environment-and-greener-living/control-of-plants-advisory-service/injurious-weeds/weeds-act-faqs/.

The ‘Cushag Code’ is available to download from http://www.gov.im/lib/docs/daff/CCS/cushagcodeoctoberdraftforwebsit.pdf.

For further information, the Agriculture Directorate can be contacted at its St. John’s Offices on telephone (01624) 685844