The General Assembly of IRS proclaimed in 2011 that the first Saturday of the summer will be The International Ragweed Day (IRD), to increase understanding and awareness of the problem this invasive weed causes all over the world.

The day was chosen because it is early in the growing season of the plant thereby gives enough time for preparations and actions.

This year, the International Ragweed Day will be on June 22nd. Do not hesitate to share with IRS president (MakraLaszlo@szte.hu) actions and events which will take place in your country!

In France, like every year, ragweed days take place from June 15 to 30, with ragweed-related events organized throughout the country.

This is an opportunity for various organizations to create events to inform and raise awareness of the health, environmental and agricultural problems due to ragweed. Information meetings, training courses, exhibitions, exchanges, collective uprooting, youth activities… Every year, there are a wide variety of events during this period.

The French ragweed observatory will be publishing two new tools:

– a guide to help farmers manage ragweed in agricultural environments (intended for ragweed referents). This guide is designed to familiarize users with the specific problems of ragweed in the agricultural environment, and to suggest management strategies for certain frequently encountered situations.

– a video to help people recognize smooth ragweed!