Sir, – Philip O'Reilly (Letters, July 30th) raises the issue of ragwort control, which is topical at this time of year.
However, I cannot help feeling that the point is being missed. A much bigger horticultural issue arises from one of the legacies of the Celtic Tiger – namely the uncontrolled spread of Japanese knotweed (Fallopia Japonica) across the island of Ireland.
This plant has astonishing invasive powers and can grow through concrete and tarmac. It grows to more than head height along roadsides and riverbanks, bringing challenges for road safety and for flood defences. It resists many common means of eradication and can regenerate from stems or from tiny fragments of rhizome, perhaps less than one gramme.
Digging it out or strimming it are simply means of assisting its spread. The UK is said to have spent up to £88 million to eradicate it from the London Olympics site.
Sadly the issue seems to receive little attention here from the State, which seems to be content to fail to enforce EU regulations controlling its spread.
– Yours, etc,
KIERAN LOFTUS
Barna,
Galway.