Fears are mounting that farmers could be penalised for having Japanese knotweed growing on their land.

Longford County Council’s environmental awareness officer Gary Brady claimed the invasive weed could affect farmers’ GLAS payments if it is found on their land.

“Farmers are now only becoming aware of the seriousness of this plant. It won’t affect farmers until they are denied planning permission to build a house or slatted shed and it can seriously diminish the price of land when farmers come to sell it,” warned Brady.

A response from the Department of Agriculture on the possibility of farm payment penalties due to knotweed was not available as we went to press.

A number of planning permissions were denied in Longford this year due to the presence of the plant, Brady said.

“Even for people who wish to do work on land such as reseeding or ploughing, where knotweed is present, they are in breach of legislation and can be prosecuted,” Brady added.

Longford County Council has set aside €20,000 for a Japanese knotweed control programme, while in Mayo there is a fund of €100,000 allocated.