Plant eradication is most often used to control the alien species of the giant hogweed

This year, the state is commissioning 2,270 hectares of giant and Sosnowsky’s hogweed and more plant eradication is commissioned than in previous years.The state has been contributing to the Estonian-wide control of foreign hogweed for more than ten years, which is unique across the Europe. The performed work is giving more and more results with each year of eradication - there are no more existing growth sites and the density of plants in many colonies is decreasing. The 442 hectares on hogweed have now been completely destroyed.“Destroying a growth site requires years of consistent and high-quality work, the first major results of which are visible only now. Thinning colonies of hogweed allows us to increase the volume of eradication instead of spraying herbicides. While 105 hectares were dug last year, some 544 hectares of plants will be eradicated this year. In addition, in some areas, plant eradication is combined with herbicide control,” said Eike Vunk, Chief Species Protection Specialist of the Environmental Board.The Sosnowsky’s and giant hogweed are constituting a direct threat to human health as well as to our native wildlife, and must therefore be combated. The state-commissioned control of hogweed is carried out from May to August and, if necessary, up until September. The first block must be completed by 20th June. The control includes all known colonies, regardless of land ownership or designated use. Eradication is a mandatory measure in the water protection zone, and is also commonly found in organic and outdoor areas, near beehives and in small and very sparse hogweed colonies.Landowners have the right to refuse government control, but then they shall undertake to do it themselves. Instructions for effective and safe control can be found on the Environmental Board's website, which also provides information on the location of known hogweed colonies and the control methods used. New finds and concerns about the hogweed population may be reported to the specialists of the Environmental Board or to [email protected] of the hogweed are included in the list of alien species of European Union, which means that their cultivation and any action or inaction that could result in the spread of the plant, is prohibited.The hogweed control is organized by the Environmental Board and funded by the Environmental Investment Center.More information:Eike VunkChief Species Protection Specialist of the Environmental Boarde-mail: [email protected] telephone: 5699 6334Sille AderSpokesperson for the Environmental Board e-mail: [email protected] telephone: 5745 0332