PCA WELCOMES JAPANESE KNOTWEED RESEARCH COMMENTARY FROM STEPHEN HODGSON

The Property Care Association (PCA) welcomes the new research which looks at the treatment options for Japanese Knotweed. We have long advocated the need for a highly specialised treatment regime for Japanese knotweed.

Essentially, the research has confirmed that Japanese knotweed is very difficult to kill. We support this research fully. It’s a great piece of work and the findings validate what we have been doing and saying for a number of years. They align with the cautious approach we have publicised in the PCA’s Invasive Weed Control Code of Practice and in our industry best practice.

We are sharing the findings across our membership and will be looking in particular at the reference to the most effective timings for treatment, as this will be an important element of us continuing to develop best practice.

Ultimately, the research highlights the importance of selecting the correct and diligent treatment options, carried out accurately by professionals who are specialists in this area, who understand the physiology of the plant and have the expertise to control and manage invasive plant species.

PCA members treat the plant and monitor for regrowth. The monitoring element is crucial to the whole treatment process. As responsible contractors, our members are able to offer insurance-backed guarantees, which mirror the terms of contractors’ own guarantees, to give reassurance that this persistent plant is treated and controlled. This offers a great level of reassurance to our members’ clients.

Japanese knotweed does tend to get over-hyped, but it and other invasive non-native species are just plants and we are taking all steps necessary to ‘normalise’ them so the issue is viewed generally as any other type of property problem. That means it can be identified, risk assessed and treated with minimal impact by recognised experts.