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Giant Hogweed was introduced in the early 19th Century. The leaves and flower’s are very similar to that of cow parsley and the identification of Giant Hogweed is often confused for it. The main difference is the height. |
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In summer it can reach up to 5m tall. It too is a perennial meaning that in winter the leaves and flowers die and fall off the plant. During winter a brown stem remains standing. In April, small ‘rosettes’ begin to appear with jagged bright green leaves. The Giant Hogweed stem will quickly begin to grow allowing it to obtain such a large height. The leaves in summer can reach up to 3m in length and up to 1.2m in width. Giant Hogweed stems and leaves are covered in very fine hairs. When these hairs touch the skin they can release a very powerful chemical which, when in the presence of sunlight can cause severe third degree burns. The blisters which form will also contain the photosensitive substance. If these blisters burst and the substance is released on to the skin further burns will occur. The substance can stay in the skin for a number of years and if exposed to sunlight, again it will cause further burns. It is therefore essential that Giant Hogweed is prevented from making contact with the skin. Giant Hogweed can produce thousands of seeds each year. The seeds are relatively heavy and are normally only transported by water. It is therefore normally present around rivers where it can create dense stands out competing native wildlife and preventing access to riverbanks. |
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Giant Hogweed can be effectively treated through the application of herbicides. Due to the large volume of seeds it produces, it is essential to continue treatment over a number of years as the seeds germinate and grow. To remove Giant Hogweed in a short timescale it is possible to excavate the main root of the plant and remove the seed reserve from the soil. This material can then be treated in situ or removed to landfill. |
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The following legislation refers directly to Giant Hogweed and the handling and disposal of it: Section 14(2) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (WCA 1981) states that “if any person plants or otherwise causes to grow in the wild any plant which is included in Part II of Schedule 9, he shall be guilty of an offence.” Giant Hogweed is one of the plants listed in the Schedule. Anyone convicted of an offence under Section 14 of the WCA 1981 may face a fine of £5,000 and/or 6 months imprisonment, or 2 years and/or an unlimited fine on indictment. The Environmental Protection Act 1990 (EPA 1990) contains a number of legal provisions concerning “controlled waste”, which are set out in Part II. Any Giant Hogweed contaminated soil or plant material that you discard, intend to discard or are required to discard is likely to be classified as controlled waste. The most relevant provisions are in: section 33 (1a) and (1b) which create offences to do with the deposit, treating, keeping or disposing of controlled waste without a licence. Exemptions from licensing are available in some circumstances, and are set out in Schedule 3 to the Waste Management Licensing Regulations 1994 as amended (the WMLR 1994) s.33 (1c) which makes it an offence to keep, treat or dispose of controlled waste in a manner likely to cause pollution of the environment or harm to human health. Section 34 places duties on any person who imports, produces, carries, keeps, treats or disposes of controlled waste. Waste must be handled responsibly and in accordance with the law at all stages between its production and final recovery or disposal. Waste must be transferred to an authorised person, in other words a person who is either a registered carrier or exempted from registration by the Controlled Waste (Registration of Carriers and Seizure of Vehicles) Regulations 1991. A waste transfer note must be completed and signed giving a written description of the waste, which is sufficient to enable the receiver of the waste to handle it in accordance with their own duty of care. The provisions concerning waste transfer notes are set out in the Environmental Protection (Duty of Care) Regulations 1991 (as amended). Failure to comply with these provisions is an offence. |
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Unlike Japanese Knotweed there is no Code of Practice for Giant Hogweed. However the Environment Agency’s website does include some useful information and links. For further information please follow the links below, LK Group - Giant Hogweed |
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