Invasive plants - including native species such as ragwort, as well as non-native species like Japanese knotweed, Indian balsam and Rhododendron - need to be effectively controlled. BVM can provide professional expertise to help local authorities, government departments and landowners to combat this threat.
Invasive, non-native species
Invasive, non-native plant species such as Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica), Indian balsam (Impatiens glandulifera), floating marsh pennywort (Hydrocotyle ranunculoides), Rhododendron (Rhododendron ponticum) and giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum) can spread very rapidly and cause serious environmental and economic problems.
These weeds can be a major problem for any landowner, and a particularly important issue for local authorities - who should lead by example, demonstrating good practice by implementing high standards of control on their own land and providing professional support to other landowners.
Action needs to be taken now to avoid much greater problems in the future.
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| Japanese knotweed - new growth | Rhododenron ponticum | Japanese knotweed - flowers |
All local authorities should ask themselves the following questions… then decide if they need to do more:
Ø Is your local authority doing enough to prevent the spread of invasive, non-native weed species?
Ø Do you really know the extent of the problem and have you got a plan in place to halt their spread - and to progressively eradicate species such as Japanese knotweed?
Ø Are your staff, and local businesses and residents, aware of the threats that these species pose to our native wildlife; as well as the risks of some species to buildings, roads, pavements and even human health?
Ø Do you have the expertise to ensure that weeds are controlled safely, effectively and legally?
Ø Do you or your contractors ensure that limited resources are effectively targeted - prioritising infestations where the risks to wildlife sites, infrastructure or human health are greatest?
Ø Are the control methods used effective, safe and legal?
This is an important issue that Britt Vegetation Management (BVM) can help you with - providing the expertise to develop a suitable local plan to combat the threat of invasive plants. BVM can evaluate the problems that you face and your current weed control methods, and work with you to put in place an improved system that will ensure public and environmental safety, and minimise long-term costs.
Ragwort
Ragwort (Senecio jacobea), although a native plant that is of value to wildlife, is highly toxic to grazing livestock and there is a legal requirement to control it in areas adjacent to agricultural land. Ragwort is a particular problem along road verges and in over-grazed paddocks. Poor control of ragwort by neighbouring landowners, including local authorities is a particularly emotive issue for horse owners – concerned about the effects on the health of their animals.
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The bright yellow flowers of this biennial plant are highly visible in mid-late summer, so inadequate control on local authority land is obvious to all, and likely to elicit numerous complaints from farmers, horse owners and the general public. |
BVM can advise on control strategies and conduct audits and surveys to evaluate the effectiveness of existing control programmes. Discuss you particular ragwort control problems with us - and we can find a safe and cost-effective solution which is best suited to your own, unique situation.
Amenity Weed Control - Reviews and Audits
BVM can provide professional audits of amenity weed control policies and contractors’ control programmes – to ensure that all options are being properly considered, and that weed control is being implemented in the most efficient, safe, environmentally-friendly and cost-effective way possible.
As for all weed control operations using herbicides, it is essential that all activities are fully compliant with the relevant code of practice - Pesticides: Code of practice for using plant protection products (2006).
BVM have BASIS-qualified weed control specialists who can help your staff and contractors to ensure that all herbicide use is appropriate, safe, environmentally sound and fully compliant with the law.
As well as advising on vegetation management and weed control strategies, undertaking weed surveys, helping to prepare tender specifications and auditing contractors BVM can also deliver training workshops.
Training can be tailored to meet your specific needs, but could cover vegetation management requirements and priorities, invasive species, environmental considerations, risk assessment, pesticide application practice and legal requirements.
All courses will be delivered by experienced and qualified staff and will emphasise the requirements of the 2006 Code of Practice.
Public awareness
Informing and involving the public in vegetation management activities can be beneficial in various ways.
Environmental groups and local residents can, for example, provide valuable data on the locations of readily identifiable non-native weed species, such as Japanese knotweed and giant hogweed. Advance information about the need for weed control and the methods to be used can significantly reduce public concerns and subsequent queries and complaints.
BVM can prepare strategies for public involvement and lead publicity campaigns to help local authorities organise and manage effective vegetation management operations.