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Testimonials

 St Helens College appointed TCM in July 2008 for the purpose of eradicating Japanese knotweed from areas of our Newton Campus. 

Throughout the contract TCM demonstrated an expertise and resource which was to be admired.  I was particularly impressed with the ongoing monitoring of the treated [more]

 St Helens College appointed TCM in July 2008 for the purpose of eradicating Japanese knotweed from areas of our Newton Campus. 

Throughout the contract TCM demonstrated an expertise and resource which was to be admired.  I was particularly impressed with the ongoing monitoring of the treated areas until TCM were satisfied that eradication was successful and the guaranteed issued.

On behalf of St Helens College I would strongly recommend TCM to any prospective client involved with the eradication of Japanese knotweed and I would be pleased to discuss any particular points of detail with any organisation should this be considered helpful.  John Frodsham, Assistant Principal: Facilities

Invasive Weeds and the Law

Invasive Weeds and the Law

Non-native invasive weeds are proscribed under Schedule 9 Part 2 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (WCA). After a period of consultation, thirty-five plants were added to the Schedule in April 2010, including several varieties of garden favourites such as Rhododendron Rhododendron ponticum, Crocosmia x crocosmiiflora and several species of Cotoneaster.

The review also sought to clarify the definition of ‘in the wild’ with the following paragraph:

23. We would expect that where plants listed in Schedule 9 are grown in private gardens, amenity areas etc, reasonable measures will be taken to confine them to the cultivated area so as to prevent their spreading to the wider environment and beyond the landowner’s control. It is our view that any failure to do so, which in turn results in the plant spreading to the wild, could be considered as ‘causing to grow in the wild’ and as such would constitute an offence. If an individual does not have sufficient ability or the resources to manage a species so as to prevent its spreading to the wild, thereby exposing him or herself to the risk of committing an offence, he/she should seriously consider whether planting a Schedule 9 species is appropriate.

Source: Government response to the public consultation:
Review of Schedule 9 to the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and the Ban on Sale of Certain Non-native Species.
Part 1: Schedule 9 Amendments.

Further restrictions are included within the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (EPA 1990) which contains a number of legal provisions concerning “controlled waste”. Any Japanese knotweed contaminated soil or plant material that you discard, intend to discard or are required to discard is likely to be classified as controlled waste. This subsequently places a ‘duty of care’ upon the waste producer resulting in a requirement for any such material to be disposed of as controlled non-hazardous waste at a landfill capable of receiving and dealing with the material.

There are many other legislative Acts that refer to weeds, but the two mentioned above are considered the primary legislation. Useful websites include www.environment-agency.gov.uk, www.netregs.gov.uk and www.defra.gov.uk