Social media being used in fight against knotweed

Social media is one of the weapons being used by Westmeath County Council in the fight against Japanese Knotweed, Cllr Brian Crum was assured at a recent Mullingar Municipal District Committee (MMDC) meeting.

Cllr Crum formally asked that the MMDC outline what plans are in place to deal with problem in this area.

In the written response to Cllr Crum’s query, the Mullingar district committee stated that a schedule of locations of Japanese Knotweed exists and is updated on an ongoing basis.

In addition, a specific spraying contract was entered into in 2017 to deal with identified Japanese Knotweed.

“Information on the identification and treatment of Japanese Knotweed was circulated through the Public Participation Network (PPN) in 2017,” the response concluded.
 

"Could we run a social media campaign and advertise this?” Cllr Crum enquired, proposing that this campaign advise that where Japanese Knotweed is spotted, that it be brought to the attention of the MMDC, which should then deal with removal of the plant.

Director of Services Martin Murray stated that other members have in the past also raised for discussion the concern that Japanese Knotweed represents.

He said there had been a national campaign on the issue organised by stakeholders such as the IFA, the IFI, and there is information on it on the council’s webpage.