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- Dangerous weed is illegal: the land plot will no longer be taken away because of the hogweed
Dangerous weed is illegal: the land plot will no longer be taken away because of the hogweed
In Russia, the rules for recognizing unused land plots have been adjusted: the presence of Sosnovsky hogweed will no longer be considered an independent basis for the seizure of land. The relevant amendments were introduced by Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 251 dated March 7, 2026, which entered into force on March 13. At the same time, the obligation to deal with a dangerous plant remains, and fines for unkempt areas are still in effect. Why the authorities have softened their approach, what risks remain for the owners and why the hogweed itself remains a serious problem — in the Izvestia article.
Why was hogweed excluded from the criteria
Starting from September 1, 2025, Russia has a list of criteria by which a land plot can be considered unused. These include, for example, the cluttering of more than 50% of the area with household waste or construction debris, the absence of construction for several years, as well as the presence of destroyed buildings without repair. In these cases, the owners face fines, and if they ignore the requirements for correcting violations, the land will be seized through the courts.
Previously, the presence of hogweed in some cases could be interpreted as a sign of overgrowth of the site with weeds. However, this approach has now been revised: the government has explicitly stated that Sosnovsky hogweed does not belong to perennial weeds when determining non-use of land.
Irina Hrytsenko, a lawyer at the Legal Policy Bar Association, explained that it was a question of excluding a formal basis for claims.
— In fact, we are talking about the exclusion of one of the formal criteria by which the site could be considered unused. Previously, the presence of Sosnovsky hogweed in a significant part of the territory could be interpreted as a sign of overgrowth with perennial weeds, and therefore as an indicator of the absence of economic activity. Now the legislator has explicitly stated that hogweed is not included in this list. This means that the mere fact of its presence can no longer automatically indicate that the land has not been used. This is an important change for the owners, as it eliminates the situation when one biological factor became the basis for claims from regulatory authorities," she noted.
Is it possible to lose a plot of land because of a hogweed
Despite the changes, the risks for land owners have not completely disappeared. If the site is generally abandoned, the hogweed may be just one of the signs of neglect.
— The risks have not been completely eliminated, but they have been significantly adjusted. It is now impossible to lose a plot solely because of the presence of hogweed - it is excluded as an independent sign of non—use. However, if the site as a whole is abandoned, not cultivated, there are no signs of agricultural activity, and the hogweed only complements the overall picture of neglect, then the risks remain. In such cases, the decision will be made based on the totality of circumstances, not one factor," Hrytsenko explained.
At the same time, the general approach to land use remains the same.
— The changes relate only to Sosnovsky hogweed and do not affect the general approach to the use of agricultural land. The owner is still obliged to use the site for its intended purpose, maintain it in a suitable condition and prevent overgrowth of weeds or woody and shrubby vegetation. If the site is overgrown with other types of weeds or is not actually used, this may still entail administrative liability and, if there are grounds, an expropriation procedure," the expert emphasized.
Accordingly, the very fact of the presence of hogweed is no longer an automatic basis for sanctions, but the requirements for land development remain.
— The regulatory authorities, as before, will look at the situation as a whole: whether the site is being used, whether agricultural activities are being carried out on it, whether the land is being cultivated or it is actually abandoned. It's just that now the mere fact of the presence of hogweed is not enough to conclude that the site has not been used. In other words, the formal approach of "if there is a hogweed, then the land is not used" no longer works. In order to recognize the site as unused, the authorities will have to prove it based on a combination of circumstances, rather than referring to one feature," Gritsenko added.
Why fighting hogweed is still difficult
At the same time, the obligation to destroy invasive plants remains. The owners of the plots must fight the hogweed, and fines are provided for non—compliance with the requirements: for citizens - from 20 to 50 thousand rubles, for officials — from 50 to 100 thousand rubles.
However, according to scientists, the problem lies in the lack of effective methods of combating this plant. Denis Veselkin, Head of the Laboratory of Plant World Biodiversity and Mycobiota at IERIZ, Doctor of Biological Sciences, Professor of the Russian Academy of Sciences, stressed that hogweed is extremely resistant.
— Hogweed is really dangerous. It is harmful to people, to the economy, and to nature. But so far, there are no effective methods to combat it. As far as I know, the measures that are being applied today do not lead to its complete disappearance. Even if a conscientious land user starts destroying hogweed at home, he is highly likely to fail. This is the main problem," he said.
According to him, the existing methods only limit the spread of the plant.
— Currently, either regular mowing or herbicides are used. Both reduce the number and quantity of plants, but do not eradicate them completely. Hogweed is preserved in the form of seeds and stunted forms that are not amenable to mowing. It requires mowing up to five times per season. In addition, the plant can change into the shape of leaves at the very surface of the soil, where it is not taken by either milling cutters or mowers. Even after treatment with herbicides, it can germinate again in the same areas," the expert explained.
What is the danger of hogweed for humans and nature?
In addition to the complexity of the fight, the plant poses a real threat to health and economic activity.
— Firstly, it is a direct threat to human health upon contact. This is especially true for those who are engaged in its destruction. Burns can be obtained not only from the plant itself, but also from the equipment that interacted with it. These burns are painful and can pose a serious danger, especially when exposed to sunlight," Veselkin said.
He added that the fight against hogweed requires additional costs.
— Working with hogweed is significantly more expensive than with other weeds. It is necessary to use protective equipment: chemical protective suits, special solutions, sometimes even masks due to exposure to essential oils. If herbicides are used, protection from them is required. All this increases the cost of cultivating land," the scientist explained.
In addition, hogweed negatively affects ecosystems.
— It is dangerous for nature because it occupies territories for a long time. Unlike other weeds, which are replaced by new species, hogweed can persist in one place for decades. It actually blocks the natural change of plant communities and reduces biodiversity," the expert emphasized.
Why can't the problem be solved quickly
Even with an active struggle, the plant can return if the conditions on the site do not change.
— Even if crops are planted in a field where the hogweed has occupied a large area, it remains at the edges. To prevent its return, it is necessary to change the way the land is used — for example, to plant trees. Hogweed does not survive under the canopy of the forest. But it takes time, investment and subsequent care," Veselkin said.
The new rules remove some of the legal risks for the owners, but do not solve the problem of the spread of hogweed. It remains a dangerous invasive species that requires systemic and costly control.
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