Invasive plants and species pose a massive threat to health, ecosystems, property and crops but so far, there has been little by way of a concerted effort to tackle the scourge of harmful invasive plant species.

Introduced from abroad, often for their aesthetic qualities, there are currently about 340 different species growing in and around Irish waterways, hedgerows, parkland, forestry and farmland – and about 60 of these are deemed to be harmful. Plants like Japanese knotweed, Giant Hogweed and Himalayan Balsam are the most common of invasive species on Irish farmland and unless managed effectively, are a ticking time bomb that could end up costing millions annually. Prof Joe Caffrey is a world-recognised expert on invasive species and a director with INVAS Biosecurity, an Irish company that specialises in the control and maintenance of invasive species on land and water.

The problem is increasing year on year. The numbers of species are continuing to increase and the impact that they’re having is also increasing.

A Welsh homeowner recently successfully sued Network Rail for damage caused by Japanese knotweed to the foundations of his house and the devaluation of his property.

“Cutting is the worst thing you could do because this will cause fragmentation and all you’re doing is removing the above ground part but the rhizomes underneath, the most infectious part, remain.”

Listen to our very own Prof. Joe Caffrey (@INVASBio) talking about the impacts of Japanese Knotweed and other invasive species on Drivetime (@RTERadio1) last week 9th March. Just click on the link below and skip forward to Joes’ interview at 02:20:52.

Listen: Prof. Joe Caffrey’s radio interview about the threat of Japanese Knotweed and other Invasive Species

Below are two extracts written by keynote speaker Prof. Joe Caffrey from the Invasive Species Council of British Columbia’s (ISCBC) public forum and AGM program. He also gave several radio interviews

Partnering for Solutions with Industry

Biosecurity as it relates to invasive alien species (IAS) refers to those measures that aim to prevent the introduction and spread of harmful non-native species outside their natural range and to mitigate their impacts. The Convention on Biological Diversity, the EU Regulation on IAS and many other legislative drivers for IAS place the greatest emphasis on prevention of introduction and spread, as this is far more cost-effective and less environmentally damaging than long-term control. The most effective and least expensive measure to reduce new introductions and to slow or stop the spread of IAS is via the promotion and implementation of good biosecurity practice. To be effective, awareness of the issues around IAS must be created at all levels, from government and industry to individuals, and all must be encouraged to buy-in to the proposed solutions and to implement best biosecurity practice. Ireland is among the lead countries in Europe with respect to the development of biosecurity initiatives for industry and stakeholders. These initiatives include the creation of awareness regarding the threat posed by IAS and methods to prevent their introduction and spread, through: targeted (and accredited) training programs, the development of agreed biosecurity protocols for key stakeholder groups, the provision of tried-and-tested biosecurity processes and procedures for use at construction sites, the development of innovative biosecurity products to make the task of cleaning and disinfection more easy, among others. The need for a wide-scale roll-out of biosecurity is being acknowledged at government level and provision for this is being written into national documents, such as the Water Framework Directive (2017-2021) and the National Biodiversity Action Plan. The ultimate goal is that biosecurity will become instinctive and an integral part of one’s recreation or work.

While we all have been waiting a long time for this important EU Regulation to be implemented, INVAS has some concerns regarding the actual species that are not included in the short (37) list

INVAS Biosecurity is pleased to learn that, at last, the EU has adopted the list of invasive alien species of Union concern (i.e. those that require action across all Member States in the EU). The actual Regulation (No. 1143/2014) will come into force some 12 days after the publication of this list, which is towards the end of July 2016.

While we all have been waiting a long time for this important EU Regulation to be implemented, INVAS has some concerns regarding the actual species that are not included in the short (37) list. It is clear to all those who work closely with invasive species, in Ireland and elsewhere, that a number of key invasives are not included here. Still, this is not a time to be moaning and it has been made clear that the list will be updated, as deemed necessary. Let’s hope that some of the species not listed but that are currently impacting on biodiversity and ecosystem function (e.g. Elodea nuttallii, Crassula helmsii and of course the knotweed species, among others) will find their way onto the updated lists.