Help Stop the Spread of Invasive Plants
The Be Plant Wise campaign highlights five of the worst offenders currently wreaking havoc on our wildlife and waterways. Gardeners can often unwittingly exacerbate the problem by disposing of unwanted pond plants without composting them properly, throwing out pond water or fish tank water incorrectly, or accidentally introducing species to the wild. A whole river can be strangled just from one fragment of plant.
Fast-growing floating pennywort, New Zealand pigmyweed, water-primrose, parrot’s feather and water fern – all of which could be found in your garden pond - are some of those named as posing significant problems in the wild with the potential to cost the nation millions of pounds if they continue to expand at their current rate. Floating pennywort can grow at a rate of 20cm a day in the wild and water primrose can double in size every 15-20 days. Many of these plants grow to such an extent that they form dense mats which can look like dry land and so pose an additional danger of drowning to people and livestock.
Natural Environment Minister Huw Irranca-Davies launched the new public campaign with the support of celebrated gardener, Charlie Dimmock. The Minister said: “Gardeners can do their bit to help stop the spread by knowing what they grow in their ponds and disposing of unwanted plants with the utmost care. I’m really pleased that many retailers are already taking steps to ensure people know what they’re buying and advising customers on how to dispose of plants properly. This is vital to halt the spread and prevent our waterways from getting overrun.”
Pond owners are advised to:
- Know what you grow – pick the right plants for your pond and manage them carefully. Choose non-invasive species where possible;
- Stop the spread – be careful not to introduce invasive species into the wild, even accidentally, as you could be breaking the law;
- Compost with care – make sure you dispose of the whole plant properly and no fragments break away; dispose of waste pond and fish tank water away from streams, rivers, ponds or lakes.
Visit www.direct.gov.uk/beplantwise for more information in England, or in Scotland visit www.scotland.gov.uk/beplantwise.
Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.
