Colonies of toxic giant hogweed can be found in various places, including cities. For example, near Laagri train station, hogweed has been growing for a couple of years. Although it was cut once in summer, it grows back. Andžela, a mother of two, does not understand why hogweed is allowed to grow in such a place.
The Environment Agency announced in February that it would stop combating hogweed, and starting from 2028, it will be the landowners' responsibility. According to agency director Rainer Vakra, the agency had to make cuts, but now funds have been found.
Previously, it was intended to impose the obligation of hogweed destruction on landowners, but this has now been abandoned. However, landowners must combat the hogweed themselves, as new growth areas are found every year.
Andrus Umboja, mayor of Jõelähtme parish, does not consider this correct. He believes that the loss of central organization could lead to chaos.
In Estonia, 800 hectares have been cleared of hogweed over the past 15 years, but it continues to grow on 2400 hectares.