JAPANESE KNOTWEED REMOVAL
Due to Japanese Knotweed’s aggressive regrowth when mishandled or disposed of improperly, Japanese Knotweed is governed by strict laws and guidelines which determine the way in which it should be treated and disposed of in the UK.
Failure to use a licensed operative such as Japanese Knotweed Specialists could leave you liable to prosecution should you be in breach of the following:
A fixed penalty notice (fine of £100) or prosecution are possible outcomes. If convicted, an individual would face a level 4 fine (£2,500). An organisation, such as a company, would face a fine not exceeding £20,000.
Section 14(2) of the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 states
“If any person plants or otherwise causes to grow in the wild any plant which is included in part 2 of schedule 9, he shall be guilty of offence.”
Japanese Knotweed is listed in this schedule and included within this legislation. Anyone convicted under section 14 of this act is liable to a fine of £5000 and/or 6 months imprisonment, or 2 years and/or an unlimited fine on indictment.
This extensive legislation covers all areas of ‘controlled waste’ which includes Japanese Knotweed soil and plant material. Failure to follow the guidelines set out by this legislation, including not having the correct licences to treat Japanese Knotweed, can lead to prosecution.
Although Japanese Knotweed is not covered by this legislation specifically, when certain residual herbicides are used, it then becomes hazardous and falls under this legislation. Failure to abide by this legislation will lead to prosecution.
This act states that waste is recovered and disposed of
“without endangering human health and without using processes or methods which could harm the environment and in particular risk to water, soil, plants or animals or cause nuisance through noise, or odours or adversely affecting the countryside or places of special interest.“