Over the last month, it’s come to light that the Environmental Agency and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) have come up with a helpful and proactive way of tackling the growing Japanese knotweed problem in the UK.
As part of a conscious effort to monitor and reduce the implications of Japanese knotweed across the country, the EA and DEFRA have suggested the implementation of a national database to track the plants reach and whereabouts, as well as monitoring its subsequent effects on house prices.
Plant Tracking
The move comes as a result of findings reported by the Science and Technology Committee, highlighting the impact the invasive plant can have on properties across the UK.
However, this latest step isn’t the first time the Environmental Agency’s first foray into Japanese knotweed monitoring territory.
The Environment Agency had previously attempted to track the reach of the naughty knot with its PlantTracker app, commissioned back in 2012.
The original app aimed to utilise crowd-sourcing as a means of creating a national database; however, it was removed from due to funding issues and development problems.
Mapping it Out
While other independent companies have attempted to chart the knotweed problem in recent years, this new government-led initiative could well be the comprehensive map the general public has needed.
The Environment Agency is set to consult with major national Japanese knotweed removal firms to explore the practicalities of assembling a database and assimilate how these third parties could contribute.
The government has confirmed that the EA will meet with both the Property Care Association and Invasive Non-Native Specialists Association (INNSA) to begin this process in early autumn 2019.
As part of the government’s deep-dive into the Japanese knotweed issue, the EA and DEFRA aim to look into the issue extensively over the coming months, with their findings set to be published by March 2020.
Japanese Knotweed Treatment
While the move by the government is reassuring news for the future of (or lack thereof) of Japanese knotweed in the UK, the process is still likely to be a slow and laborious one that’s of little help to anyone already plighted by the wicked weed.
If you are currently suffering from the ill-effects of Japanese knotweed or believe your property may well be under invasion from the Asian vegetation, why not drop us a line today?
Our team of experts have over 15 years’ experience in weed removal and are the premier Japanese knotweed specialists in Wales and the West.
Stop your horticultural headaches before they become a viny migraine by nipping it in the bud today, courtesy of Taylor Weed Control.
For more information on Japanese knotweed removal service from Taylor Weed Control, call 029 2039 7554 now to speak to our team or click the button below to request a FREE knotweed survey.
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