Invasive Species
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A number of species exist that can be harmful either to animals, property or the environment by way of their invasive or toxic nature. These are likely to be covered either by the Weeds Act 1959 or by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. The primary contact concerning these weeds is the landowner, the Council as the highway authority for those growing on roadside verges, Network Rail for those on railway lines and land and DEFRA for any other land.
The five weeds covered by the Weeds Act 1959 are:
- Common ragwort (Senecio jacobaea)
- Broad leaved dock (Rumex obtusifolius)
- Curled dock (Rumex crispus)
- Creeping or field thistle (Cirsium arvense)
- Spear thistle (Cirsium vulgare)
Although the primary responsibility for weeds covered under this act lies with the landowner, DEFRA can take action if there is a risk that the plants might spread to neighbouring land. It is not actually illegal to have any of the five species growing on plots of land, however.
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