MIKE HEDGES AM QUESTIONS FIRST MINISTER ON WHAT THE WELSH
GOVERNMENT IS DOING TO TAKLE KNOTWEED INFESTATION.
Speaking after First Minister Questions, Mike Hedges said ….
Knotweed problems have again appeared in great number in correspondence with
constituents this summer. I have seen at first hand the damage that can be done
by this invasive plant; I have seen it come under walls and into gardens; it is
a terrible problem if even it is close to a property if the homeowner wishes to
sell it. I welcome the First Ministers reply – it confirms the Welsh Government
remains committed to the dealing with this awful plant. I have asked many
questions on this topic and I will be assuring the candidates in the upcoming
First Minister leadership election that I will continue to pressure the new
First Minister on this issue no matter who wins!
7. Will the First Minister
make a statement on efforts to tackle the problems caused by Japanese knotweed?
OAQ52298
First Minister
of Wales
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We do work with partner
organisations and the public to tackle the threats of invasive non-native
species in Wales. I recognise that Japanese knotweed is a significant problem.
We have actively funded innovative trials. Two things: first of all, chemical
treatments, but secondly, bio control, through using a natural psyllid
predator. Of course, you have to be careful doing that in case you introduce an
even greater problem, as the Australians will tell you, with some of the things
that they've done—with sugar cane, particularly. But nevertheless, those trials
are ones that we have funded in order to get to grips with the problem.69
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Can I thank the First
Minister for that response? Knotweed is a serious problem in Swansea,
especially in my constituency, but I'm sure Julie James could tell you exactly
the same for Swansea West as well. Whilst the experiment with a natural
predator and improved chemical treatments are to be welcomed, we have areas of
green wedge where knotweed has become a problem. Has the Welsh Government got
any plans of stopping green-wedge land becoming fully infested by knotweed, so
instead of being a green belt, it'll be a knotweed belt?70
First Minister
of Wales
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Well, ultimately, of
course, it's up to the landowner to control Japanese knotweed on their land. I
can say that we recently awarded £50,000 to five councils via the green
infrastructure funding scheme to undertake a project to combat
invasive non-native plant species at over 1,000 sites throughout those five
counties. It will also train community volunteers to help to control those
plants, and we did recently publish an updated information sheet aimed at
community and voluntary groups, with advice on action on land they manage.
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