Government should follow Merthyr Lib Dem lead to tackle Japanese Knotweed

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 8th May 2008

Commenting on news that problems with Japanese Knotweed in Swansea could be dealt with by introducing Japanese jumping lice, recently elected Merthyr Cllr Amy Kitcher said:

"Welsh Liberal Democrats are the only party with a formal policy on Japanese knotweed, since our conference in Autumn 2006. The policy called for the safe introduction of co-evolved biological control agents for management of Japanese Knotweed and urged the government to work with local authorities to appoint a lead officer to tackle the issue.

"I am pleased to hear that one of our key proposals is being seriously considered to deal with this scourge on our landscape"

"South Wales is one of the worst affected areas in the country and the former WDA estimated that treatment of Japanese Knotweed would escalate to more than £76 million by 2010.

"It is vital the Assembly Government looks at this issue, if knotweed is not to be a brake on Wales' future economic prosperity."

Notes:

Welsh Liberal Democrats adopted the following policy in Autumn 2006. The motion was put forward by Amy Kitcher on behalf of her local party.

Conference notes:

1. That 800 hectares of Welsh land are infested with Fallopia japonica (Japanese Knotweed), which is Britain's most invasive non-native plant.

2. That Swansea is one of the worst affected areas in the country, where the infestation is estimated to weigh 62,000 tonnes.

3. With concern that Japanese Knotweed infestations damage native plant life, destroy natural habitats, cause structural damage to buildings and property, obstruct public access and spoil sites of archaeological interest.

4. With dismay that the total eradication of Japanese Knotweed is practically impossible and that the former WDA estimated that treatment of Japanese Knotweed would escalate to more than £76 million by 2010.

Conference believes:

1. That the current rate of infestation and the susceptibility of brownfield development sites to infestation could pose a significant threat to the future expansion of the Welsh economy.

2. That natural methods of biological control should form the basis of a sustainable Japanese Knotweed management programme and that that programme should aim to restore the balance of our natural ecosystems.

Conference recognises:

1. That the WDA was once of the first agencies in Britain to issue guidance on the management of Japanese knotweed in 1998.

2. That the funding given by the WDA was essential in initiating research into new techniques for the sustainable management of Japanese Knotweed.

Conferences calls:

1. On the Welsh Assembly Government to continue the work of the WDA in supporting research into the biological control of Japanese Knotweed.

2. For the safe introduction of co-evolved biological control agents for management of Japanese Knotweed and supports the free exchange of natural enemies between countries in accordance with the Convention on Biological Diversity.

3. On the Welsh Assembly Government to ensure that the future economic development of Wales in not hindered by the widespread presence of Japanese Knotweed.

4. On the Welsh Assembly Government to work in partnership with Local Authorities to co-ordinate a national survey to record the distribution of Japanese Knotweed and identify priorities for control and management.

5. On the Welsh Assembly Government to encourage Local Authorities to appoint a lead officer responsible for the management of Japanese Knotweed.