Madam, - The issue of aggressive plants such as ragwort invading agricultural lands, harming animals and environments (An Irishman's Diary, August 4th), highlights a concern that Ireland has no landscape watchdog.
Who has responsibility for landscape conservation? Is it the Department Of Agriculture And Rural Development? Is it the Department of Environment And Local Government? Is it An Taisce? The query "ragwort" results in "nothing found" on these websites.
Recently in Donegal I noticed Himalayan Balsam starting to run riot in meadow areas around Anagry. This bamboo-like plant, with pink or purple flowers, grows up to six feet tall. It spreads like wildfire, elbowing out native plants and destroying sensitive and exquisite local landscapes.
The velvet orchids, the almond scented meadowsweet, and the purple loosestrife around Anagry are in danger of becoming extinct. Once choked out, they will disappear forever.
Setting land aside does not conserve landscapes. Unmanaged land is quickly colonised by plants that dominate more fragile species. Heritage centres and national parks can provide only mocked-up versions of natural landscapes; they cannot offer the authenticity of endangered Irish native meadows.
There is no time to lose. Every single Himalayan Balsam plant ejects over 500 seeds annually. Every ragwort plant disperses up to 150,000 seeds annually. Control of these and other aggressive wild plants needs to be part of a national landscape conservation plan.
Like David Sowby (August 10th), I am amazed that no one seems to care about this "fizzing time-bomb". - Yours, etc,
ANN DINAN,
Ashleigh Lawn,
Malahide,
Co Dublin.