National trade body the Property Care Association (PCA) is holding a specialised conference, dedicated to the subject of non-native invasive plants.
‘Understanding Invasive Weeds: Japanese Knotweed, Fact and Fiction’ takes place on 23 September at The Vale Resort, Hensol, Cardiff.
It is the first conference held by the PCA’s specialist Invasive Weed Control Group and is being facilitated by Richard Newis, Ashfield Japanese Knotweed (Chair), Ian Graham, Complete Weed Control and Professor Max Wade, AECOM.
As well as seeking to promote a level headed and evidence based approach to Japanese Knotweed, there will also be a focus on other invasive weeds such as Himalayan Balsam and Giant Hogweed, which are increasingly regulated in the UK following new EU regulations, which came into effect in January.
Ashfield Japanese Knotweed have been asked to present at the Invasive Species Identification and Management seminar held by Construction Employers Federation in Belfast on the 30th September 2014.
Details on the seminar and how to book your place can be found here: CEF: Invasive Species
Ashfield Japanese Knotweed (AJK) has been appointed as the UK’s first approved independent surveyor for the Property Care Association (PCA), having passed detailed qualifying stages.
The PCA has been in existence since 1930 as the leading trade body to provide an industry voice on behalf of all members and to liaise with Government departments, respond to consultation documents and give input to the development of new guidelines.
It strives to ensure high standards of professionalism and expertise amongst its members, who must be qualified to an approved level in the area of specialty.
The Law Commission (England and Wales) is currently recommending the creation of ‘species control orders’ to allow statutory bodies, where necessary, to compel owners or occupiers of land to carry out control or eradication operations of non-native invasive species.
As part of its review of the current legislative regime, the Law Commission cited Japanese Knotweed frequently as an example of why the law requires change. If successful, this will have a significant impact on land owners where there is no legal requirement currently to treat Japanese Knotweed within your own land boundary.
AJK director Richard Newis explained: “If this new law comes to pass, regulators or adjacent land owners will be able to enforce the control/ remediation of Japanese Knotweed impacted land. If these ‘species control orders’ are ignored, it could lead to significant fines or in the worst case scenario, a jail sentence. The likelihood for these laws to come into force in England and Wales is high as recommendations of the Law Commission are rarely ignored and similar orders already exist in Scotland.”
If you think this will impact on your current strategy for managing Japanese Knotweed, call one of our advisors today on 0845 873 1466 or make contact on our enquiry page here
