Sosnowsky's hogweed has been removed from 97% of its growing area in the Vitebsk region

August 24, Vitebsk / Diana Kurilo - BELTA /. Measures to combat Sosnowsky's hogweed have been carried out this year in the Vitebsk region over an area of more than 1.5 thousand hectares, which is more than 97% of its growth area. This was reported to a BELTA correspondent by the Vitebsk Regional Committee for Natural Resources and Environmental Protection.

Sosnowsky's hogweed occupies an area of 1584 hectares in the region. Br380.319 million has been allocated from the regional nature protection fund for measures to combat the poisonous weed, of which over 70% has been utilized. Measures have been carried out on an area of 1537.1 hectares: 1217.8 hectares have been mowed, 181.7 hectares have been plowed, and 137.5 hectares have been treated with herbicides.

In July-August, specialists from the regional committee for natural resources and environmental protection conducted surveys of the territories of the most problematic districts: Vitebsk, Gorodok, Sennо, Orsha, Dubrovno, Orsha, and Beshenkovichi. State control over the removal of hogweed has also been strengthened in Braslav, Glubokoe, and Gorodok districts.

In Tolochin, Miory, and Senno districts, administrative measures have been taken against a number of land users. 7 administrative offense reports have been drawn up and administrative penalties imposed for failure to implement measures to regulate the spread of Sosnowsky's hogweed, and 22 orders have been issued to eliminate identified violations of environmental legislation. Throughout 2011, fines totaling Br9.3 million were applied to the guilty parties.

Sosnowsky's hogweed is one of the most dangerous invasive plants that has escaped cultivation and spread into the wild. The leaves and fruits of the plant are rich in essential oils containing special substances that cause photochemical burns upon contact with the skin. To combat hogweed, a national program for its eradication was developed in 2008, where the main role in fighting the poisonous plant was assigned to local authorities, forestry services, and agricultural enterprises.

The National Academy of Sciences of Belarus has developed recommendations for the eradication of hogweed. There are four main methods of control: manual (digging with shovels), mowing (performed two to three times a year), pesticide application, and – the most successful method – plowing under and sowing the areas with forest crops or grass mixtures.-0-