Swansea East Assembly Member Mike Hedges has today asked the Welsh Government what guidance is being given to Local Authorities in Wales to deal with the every growing problem of Japanese Knotweed.
Speaking in the Assembly chamber during Questions to the Environment & Sustainable Development Minister, Mike Hedges AM highlighted both the environmental and economic impact the plant is having on communities up and down the Swansea area.
Swansea is considered to be one of the worst affected parts of Britain suffering from Japanese Knotweed, with the total biomass of the plant estimated to exceed 62,000 tonnes.
In 2010, the previous Environment Minister, Jane Davidson AM, gave the go-ahead for a Japanese psyllid insect known as Aphalara Itadori to be released at an undisclosed test site in Swansea. The psyllid insect is considered to be the natural predator of the knotweed as it feeds on its sap, which stunts the growth of the plant.
Mike Hedges AM, said:
“I am contacted on a regular basis by frustrated constituents over the seemingly unstoppable problem of Japanese Knotweed.
“Japanese knotweed is extremely successful at spreading over a short period of time and poses a significant threat to both the Welsh environment and economy.
“Not only can the knotweed cause serious problems for our native plants and animals, but now seems to be having a disturbing impact on the property market, with some experts estimating the knotweed is costing the Welsh economy around £125 million a year.
“We also know that the knotweed is extremely difficult to permanently remove and costs the Welsh taxpayer and local authorities hundreds of thousands of pounds to prevent and control each year.
“In my view, this menacing plant that plagues many of our communities in Swansea has long overstayed its welcome. I decided to highlight this issue with the Environment Minister because I believe that it’s important that we regain control in the battle against the knotweed.”
Environment & Sustainable Development Minister John Griffiths AM responded by stating that the Welsh Government has recently updated its Local Authority guidance in dealing with the Japanese Knotweed and outlined that the Welsh Government would continue to monitor the test sites in Wales where the Aphalara Itadori insects have been released in order to find out if this biocontrol technique has been effective in tackling the knotweed.
Speaking from outside the Chamber in relation to the Minister’s response, Mike Hedges AM, said:
“I’m pleased to note that updated guidance on the control of Japanese Knotweed for local authorities in Wales has recently been release by the Welsh Government. It’s extremely important that local authorities are using up-to-date techniques and preventative measures when dealing with the knotweed.
“I appreciate that the insects have only been released at trial sites in Wales since July 2010 and that further monitoring of these sites needs to be conducted in order to examine the effectiveness of this biocontrol technique. I will, however, continue to press the Environment Minister in the near future for more information about the fight against Japanese Knotweed.”
