Enhancing the protection of Alberta’s agricultural land and protecting natural spaces is the aim of the new Weed Control Act, which came into effect recently.
The new legislation replaces the old act and consolidates regulations for a more streamlined and comprehensive approach to protecting the production and quality of Alberta lands from invasive plants.
Cardston-Taber-Warner MLA and parliamentary assistant for agriculture, Broyce Jacobs, explained the benefits offered by the new legislation.
“It increases the list of invasive plants that will now be considered noxious weeds. Unfortunately, we keep getting new species of weeds coming in that are now considered noxious weeds, which need to be controlled. So the new act, from what I hear from municipalities and weed guys, they’re totally on side with this. So it should increase the ability of municipalities and weed control officers to be able to go after some of these invasive weeds which keep coming into our province. We need to control them, because if we don’t, they will really impact yield and the ability to produce good crops. In my opinion it was a good addition to the Weed Act, and it needed to be done.”
Many of the plants added to the invasive plants list  are the result of an extensive study of invasive plant species in bordering provinces and states which may pose a threat to Alberta’s eco-system and agricultural industries.
The new act was developed after careful consultation and research, added Jacobs.
“Development of the regulation was supported by a comprehensive stakeholder consultation process which included ag fieldmen, the Federation of Naturalists, and the Native Plant Council.
Information on the list of designated plants has been shared with municipalities, and training for agricultural fieldmen and bylaw officers is underway.”
Other changes to the previous legislation include improvements to enforcement and appeal processes, updates to better reflect current activity in the seed-cleaning sector and other industry developments.
Jacobs praised the invaluable efforts of ag fieldmen across the province in helping to stamp out invasive plants.
“There will be increased training and information given out to ag fieldmen to help them with being able to identify and be aware of the plants that are now added to the list of noxious weeds that are invasive plants,” said Jacobs.
“ You can’t do this sort of thing without giving some training to the important people, the guys that are out there on the front line dealing with the problem on a daily basis. Our ag fieldmen do a good job, and they need to be commended for what they do — what they do is very important.”