Alberta Invasive Species Council launches program to address invasive weeds in forage
The Alberta Invasive Species Council (AISC) has launched Alberta’s Certified Weed Free Forage program. Invasive species, such as terrestrial invasive plants, are detrimental to Alberta’s economy and environment. They degrade natural areas, decrease biodiversity, and reduce food and habitat for wildlife. Economically, they cost Alberta an estimated $1 billion each year. Contaminated hay is one means by which invasive plants are spread. To address this, the AISC intends to promote the Alberta Certified Weed Free Forage program to potential buyers and help producers sell their Certified Weed Free Forage.
There are currently 11 counties participating in the program and offering Weed Free Forage inspections: Clearwater County, the County of Barrhead, Lacombe County, Kneehill County, Mountain View County, the Municipal District of Bonnyville, Northern Sunrise County, Parkland County, Red Deer County, Rocky View County, and Smoky Lake County. Municipal participation is voluntary and AISC looks forward to more counties signing onto the program in future years.
Weed Free Forage inspections can only be conducted by those with authority under the Weed Control Act (e.g., weed inspectors). As such, the actual inspections and certification issuance can only be conducted by weed inspectors who have taken recent Certified Weed Free Forage Inspector Training. For information on how to get your field inspected, contact your local Agriculture Fieldmen or the Alberta Invasive Species Council.
As an added bonus, the AISC will promote this program to potential Weed Free Forage buyers, helping producers sell their Certified Weed Free Forage. As mentioned above, AISC will list contact information for producers with Certified Weed Free Forage inventory, run articles in local papers, publish social media posts, and include information on the program in their quarterly newsletter and on their website.
Please spread the word about Alberta’s Weed Free Forage program. For more information contact AISC by phone 587.999.0954 or email info@abinvasives.ca.
Warren Noga
Policy Advisor
780.955.4079
warren@RMAlberta.com
Wyatt Skovron
Manager of Policy & Advocacy
780.955.4096
wyatt@RMAlberta.com