Weeds_Act_1959
Weeds Act 1959
United Kingdom legislation
The Weeds Act 1959 (7 & 8 Eliz. 2. c. 54) is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It concerns control of some weeds which are considered harmful to agriculture. The Act allows a minister to make control orders. It doesn't make controlling the plants listed compulsory. It does not prohibit anyone from growing them and it doesn't make possession of any of those plants a criminal offence.
Section 1(1) states: "Where the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food ... is satisfied that there are injurious weeds to which this Act applies growing upon any land he may serve upon the occupier of the land a notice in writing requiring him, within the time specified in the notice, to take such action as may be necessary to prevent the weeds from spreading." It received royal assent on 16 July 1959.[1]
The Act preserved powers contained in the Corn Production Acts (Repeal) Act 1921 (11 & 12 Geo. 5. c. 48), but which were originally inserted into the Corn Production Act 1917 (7 & 8 Geo. 5. c. 46) by the Agriculture Act 1920 (10 & 11 Geo. 5. c. 76).
The term "injurious" in the context of weeds means harmful to the interests of agriculture. It does not mean the weeds cause injury.[2]