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<p>It is well known that Japanese knotweed can have ecological impacts related to
the alteration of habitat structure and biological communities, and can also pose
some structural, management and access concerns if left uncontrolled. The plant is
listed on Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, which makes it an offence
to allow the plant to escape or cause it to grow in the wild. When disposing of contaminated
soil from development sites it is a legal requirement that the spoil must be disposed
of as controlled waste.</p><p>Since 2011, Defra has provided grant aid to several
local action groups throughout England to reduce or eradicate invasive non-native
species, including Japanese knotweed in local areas.</p><p>Additionally, Defra has
funded rigorous laboratory testing to identify a possible biocontrol agent to control
the plant and has identified the psyllid, <em>Aphalara itadori.</em> A closely monitored
licensed trial release programme has been undertaken since 2010 to assess the impact
of this psyllid, although no significant and sustainable impacts have yet been seen
because only small populations of the psyllid have survived. This year the project
has conducted caged field trials releasing larger numbers to establish higher population
densities and we are awaiting the results.</p><p>The recent provision of Community
Protection Notices, provided for in the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing
Act 2014, are now available for use by local authorities to control or prevent the
growth of Japanese knotweed.</p><p> </p>
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