Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what responsibility landowners have for controlling Hogweed growth on their land; and if he will make a statement.

Common hogweed (Heracleum sphondylium) is native to the UK; however, giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum) is a non-native species with established populations in the UK. Landowners are under no specific obligation to remove giant hogweed from their land; however, it is an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 to plant or otherwise cause giant hogweed to grow in the wild.

In certain circumstances, local authorities have powers to deal with giant hogweed where it is, or is likely to be, prejudicial to health. Authorities can also issue community protection notices, under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, against individuals, businesses or organisations who are acting unreasonably and who persistently or continually act in a way that has a detrimental effect on the quality of life of those in the locality. This power can be used for invasive non-native species like giant hogweed. Landowners are also encouraged to work with local action groups in their area, which map, prioritise and tackle this and other non-native species.