Hastings County is calling on the province to join the battle against the spread of a noxious weed in the area.
Hastings County undertook a survey last year to determine the extent of wild parsnip and the report indicates it is widespread throughout the area.
In his report, Weed Inspector John Anstey says “total eradication of the weed is not possible” but the effective kill rate by spraying can be up to 95%.
Wild Parsnip can cause health problems, even second degree burns, and is a problem in farmers’ fields.
Anstey says there are about 438 kilometres of infestation in Hasting County.
The price tag for spraying all that – about $33,000.
County council decided to call a tender for a company of record, and the actual spraying would be contracted by individual municipalities.
Also, Warden Rodney Cooney will write to the province asking for a spray program on the highways within the county, since the weed grows along those highways as well.