A weed sniffing dog has joined efforts to eliminate the potentially toxic Parthenium after more than 1,000 of the plants were found on a Gerringong property.
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The discovery late last year was the first sighting in the southeast of NSW, and was linked to a delivery of organic wholegrain chicken feed.
Ingesting the weed can cause dangerous allergic reactions in humans, and can be possibly toxic to animals.
A taskforce including the Illawarra District Weeds Authority (IDWA), Local Lands Services, NS Primary Industries and local councils will work on eradicating the weed, with the dog brought in to sniff out specimens that may have spread nearby.
IDWA Chief Weeds Officer David Pomery said the landowner recognised and reported the weed promptly.
"The landowner has proven extremely vigilant and followed all protocols in relation to dealing with this weed," he said.
"It is a delicate process that takes time but it is certainly a battle we can win."
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