The Provincial Noxious Weeds Act, R.S.O. 1990 is concerned with the control of noxious weeds that interfere with lands used for agricultural and horticultural purposes. Under this Act, all landowners are required to destroy any noxious weeds and weed seeds on their property. The intent of the Act is to:
- Reduce infestations of noxious weeds that can impact agricultural or horticultural crop yields.
- Reduce plant diseases that can impact agriculture or horticultural crop yields by eradicating host plants.
- Reduce health hazards to livestock cause by poisonous plants.
If you own property of ten acres or less, noxious weeds must be destroyed by June 1 and throughout the season. The municipality may otherwise enter the property and have the weeds destroyed, charging the costs against the land as set out in the Weed Control Act.
Notice to control noxious weeds and weed seeds can be served to owners of properties over 10 acres by issuing an “Order to Destroy Noxious Weeds or Weed Seeds”.
There are 25 species on the noxious weed list.