The problematic alien species of hogweed that are widespread across Europe and the rest of the world must be destroyed and cultivation of these species is forbidden. In Estonia, countrywide eradication has been carried out on the basis of a management plan since 2006.
The aim is to reduce the spread of hogweed species that pose a threat to humans and domestic wildlife and, in the long term, eradicate them. Eradication is carried out regardless of the ownership or intended purpose of the land. Eradication services are procured via public procurements.
The main methods for eradication are manual spraying with a glyphosate-based herbicide and digging up the plants.
Eradication of the alien species of hogweed involves great responsibility as new seeds should by no means be allowed to mature and get into the soil. Otherwise, the efforts of the previous years will have been wasted and the timeline for the eradication of the alien species significantly extended, as seeds maintain their germination capacity in soil for 10 years.
Work and safety instructions (in Estonian) have been drawn up to assure that the eradication process is carried out correctly and safely.
The domestic Siberian hogweed and another alien species, H. Lehmannianum, are relatively similar in appearance but not invasive.
The State Shared Service Centre held an international public procurement for a service for the eradication of invasive hogweed species. The eradication service was ordered for three years (2020-2022). Under the procurement, eradication is carried out in 50 eradication units.
1 - Ida-Viru
- Osaühing Firm Ehitus
2 - Lääne-Viru - Mittetulundusühing Sim Sala Bim
3 - Selja jõgi - OÜ Hegemone
4 - Lahemaa - OÜ Hegemone
5 - Põhja-Harju - Osaühing Firm Ehitus
6 - Lõuna-Harju - Tonditare OÜ
7 - Kesk-Harju - Tonditare OÜ
8 - Ida-Harju - Tonditare OÜ
9 - Lääne-Harju - Tonditare OÜ
10 - Põhja-Järva - OÜ Hegemone
11 - Lõuna-Järva - OÜ Mikslinks
12 - Ida-Saaremaa - Klautek OÜ
13 - Lääne-Saaremaa - Osaühing TBK lahendused
14 - Kõljala - OÜ Mikslinks
15 - Kuressaare - Klautek OÜ
16 - Märjamaa-Lääne-Nigula-Hiiu - Osaühing Firm Ehitus
17 - Läänemaa - Putkekaru OÜ
18 - Raplamaa - OÜ Hegemone
19 - Pärnumaa - OÜ Mikslinks
20 - Abja - OÜ Mikslinks
21 - Kagu-Viljandi - OÜ Mikslinks
22 - Karksi - Merju-Mai Leiaru
23 - Kesk-Viljandi - OÜ Mikslinks
24 - Kolga-Jaani - Merju-Mai Leiaru
25 - Lääne-Viljandi - Merju-Mai Leiaru
26 - Lõuna-Viljandi - OÜ Mikslinks
27 - Põhja-Viljandi - osaühing Agrinate
28 - Härjanurme - Tonditare OÜ
29 - Kaatvere - Tonditare OÜ
30 - Kurukse - Tonditare OÜ
31 - Jõune - Tonditare OÜ
32 - Lustivere - Tonditare OÜ
33 - Saare-Torma - Osaühing Lõunalaaned
34 - Peipsiääre - Tonditare OÜ
35 - Kokanurga - Tonditare OÜ
36 - Edela-Tartumaa - osaühing Agrinate
37 - Haaslava - Hommik OÜ
38 - Ida-Tartumaa - Tonditare OÜ
39 - Mõra - Osaühing Lõunalaaned
40 - Kalevipoja - Hommik OÜ
41 - Lõuna-Tartumaa - osaühing Agrinate
42 - Lääne-Tartumaa - Osaühing Lõunalaaned
43 - Põhja-Tartumaa - Hommik OÜ
44 - Valgamaa - osaühing Agrinate
45 - Korijärve - OÜ Mikslinks
46 - Kagu-Eesti - OÜ Mikslinks
47 - Otepää - osaühing Agrinate
48 - Põlvamaa - OÜ Mikslinks
49 - Räpina - Viru Nõuandekeskus OÜ
50 - Võrumaa - osaühing Agrinate
The best results are gained when eradication is carried out by a landowner, local resident or municipality that has genuine interest in eradicating the invasive species from the area. The colony can then be constantly monitored and any new plants quickly eradicated.
The Environmental Board invites all landowners to contribute to the eradication of invasive hogweed species on their land or in their neighbourhood. Eradication is safe if carried out carefully and without rushing and just requires some physical effort, patience and persistence. Weakening a larger colony takes time – a significant decrease in the number of hogweed plants can be seen after four or five years of persistent eradication.
The results of the survey study carried out by the Environmental Board in 2016 demonstrate that a considerable number of people are willing to combat invasive hogweed species themselves and see it as a necessity.
Key recommendations for combating hogweed yourself:
- Over-the-counter herbicides (eg Roundup) are fairly lean in concentration so that they do not affect large enough bearberry plants. It is recommended to use the most effective control method - digging;
- eradication work must be carried out until no more plants are sprouting. Even then, observe the place of growth for a few more years.
The Environmental Board appreciates any information about new locations of invasive hogweed species. If possible, include a photo in your message so that we can determine in advance whether it is an invasive species or a domestic and harmless one.
! Be careful – even the sap of domestic umbellifers contains phototoxic substances that cause burns when they come into contact with sunlight (especially wild parsnip)!
Notices regarding new finds and any questions may be sent to info@keskkonnaamet.ee.
Leiukoha teateid või küsimusi võib saata info@keskkonnaamet.ee või piirkonna vastavale spetsialistile:
- Harjumaal - Roman Zuzjonok, roman.zuzjonok@keskkonnaamet.ee
- Hiiumaal - Rita Miller, rita.miller@keskkonnaamet.ee
- Ida-Virumaal - Reelika Juuse, reelika.juuse@keskkonnaamet.ee
- Jõgeva- ja Tartumaal - Maria Rätsep, maria.ratsep@keskkonnaamet.ee
- Järvamaal - Monika Laurits-Arro, monika.laurits-arro@keskkonnaamet.ee
- Läänemaal - Ilona Lepik ilona.lepik@keskkonnaamet.ee
- Lääne-Virumaal - Katrin Jürgens, katrin.jurgens@keskkonnaamet.ee
- Põlva, Valga and Võru County - Jarmo Jaanus, jarmo.jaanus@keskkonnaamet.ee
- Viljandi County - Jarmo Jaanus, jarmo.jaanus@keskkonnaamet.ee
- Pärnu and Rapla County - Liisu Aulik, liisu.aulik@keskkonnaamet.ee
- Saare County - Maarja Nõmm, maarja.nomm@keskkonnaamet.ee
- National overall questions - Käthlin Rillo, kathlin.rillo@keskkonnaamet.ee
Agriculture is one of the major reasons behind the spread of invasive hogweed species – it can happen via machines or through crops that have been contaminated by hogweed plants growing within or at the edge of the plot. Hogweed seeds get into crops and stick to the machines and fall off onto roads between fields or into neighbouring fields, farmyards and plots around buildings.
We encourage farmers to notice invasive hogweed species plants growing in their fields and dig them out themselves, in accordance with safety and eradication requirements.
CONTACT THE ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD IF:
-
there are invasive hogweed species growing on your land or neighbouring land (or anywhere else);
-
you yourself want to carry out hogweed eradication on your land;
-
you want additional information about hogweed colonies growing on your land.
Problems with carrying out state-commissioned eradication on arable land:
- ploughing causes hogweed plants to “travel” along the field but treating the whole field as a colony artificially increases the area where eradication must be carried out;
- when using plant protection products on the field the hogweed plants either do or do not grow;
- in fields that are regularly mowed hogweed plants are not visible immediately after mowing and the plants that grow back are significantly shorter (more difficult to spot for eradication);
- crops make moving difficult for eradicators and the eradication itself may damage the crops.
Requirements for farmers in regards to invasive hogweed species
- If there are invasive hogweed species growing on your arable land or adjacent plot and you wish to receive ARIB subsidies, you should submit a formal notice to the Environmental Board by May 31 at the latest. This is valid for areas that are not yet registered with the Land Board. Known hogweed colonies can be checked on the ARIB Online Map (help layer).
- Applicants for ARIB subsidies must keep their arable land in a condition suitable for herding or arable farming, i.e. avoid the spread of unwanted plants, including hogweed. This means that ARIB subsidies cannot be granted for land plots with high density hogweed colonies.
- prior to plotting their land in e-ARIB, organic producers should make sure (via the ARIB Online Map) that there are no hogweed colonies in the selected area that are being sprayed.
Last updated: 12.04.2024
