Public Consultation on Proposed Changes to the Noxious Weeds Legislation

Following the Public Consultation, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine signed Statutory Instrument 191 of 2025, effective from 14 May 2025. Blackgrass, an annual grass, non-native to Ireland and found mostly in arable systems of the UK and the continent has been designated a Noxious Weed for the first time. This Statutory Instrument also consolidates all secondary legislation on noxious weeds, codifies the existing species of noxious weeds with their botanical names and in addition, the legislation limits controls to certain species of thistle and dock.

We are committed to engaging with stakeholders in a clear, open, and transparent manner. Any person or organisation can make a submission in relation to this consultation. All submissions and feedback will be considered by the Department Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

Please note that it is intended that all submissions received may be made available under the Freedom of Information Act 2014 (FOI) and will be published on the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine website.

In responding to this consultation, parties should clearly indicate where their responses contain personal information, commercially sensitive information, or confidential information that they would not wish to be released under FOI or published on the department’s website.

We would like to draw your attention to the Department Agriculture, Food and the Marine's Data Protection Data Privacy Notice, which is available on our website and explains how and when we collect personal data, why we do so and how we treat this information. It also explains your rights in relation to the collection of personal information and how you can exercise those rights.