Scentless chamomile major problem for B.C.'s Peace River farms

Tea drinkers often enjoy chamomile tea for its relaxing properties, but in B.C.'s Peace Region, a noxious weed called scentless chamomile is proving anything but peaceful for farmers.

• Wet weather nurtures noxious weeds
• Noxious urban weed affecting nearby farms

Scentless chamomile isclassified as "noxious"by the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture,meaning it is a non-native invasive plant that grows aggressively.

When it spreads to farmers' fields, it "reduces yields in hay fields, pastures, grain fields, and other cultivated crops by forming dense stands."

The ministry considers scentless chamomile a "major concern" in the Peace. Butwhile the B.C. Weed Control Act obligates all land occupiers to control noxious plants, farmer ArthurHadlandsays many people aren't doing that.

He wants the Peace River Regional District to do something about that.

"I'd like to see more effort put into educating. I think we need to educate the larger community, industry and the urban community, and if people aren't going to clean it up, then use enforcement,"HadlandtoldRadio Westhost RebeccaZandbergen.

The Weed Control Act makes it the responsibility of regional districts to control weeds like scentless chamomile, and the Peace River Regional District's plan mostly relies on farmers to identify problems and control the weeds.

"The farmers are doing their best already, but the issues are especially along the roadsides," he said.

Scentless chamomile has major implications for feed farmers like Hadland, who says if a buyer takes a sample of his crop and it is found to contain any of the plant, the entire product is worthless.

Hadland appeared before the Peace River Regional Board on Nov. 12 to air his concerns. A spokesperson for the Board said his concerns will be forwarded to their Invasive Plant Strategic Plan and Profile Committee.

To hear the full story, click the audio labelled:Invasive, aggressive chamomile a problem for Peace farmers