WEEDS &
THE LAW

LEGAL
ISSUES

Legislation covering the treatment and disposal of invasive weeds 

Due to the severe damage that invasive weeds can cause, the government has created legislation in order to safeguard people and the environment from the threats they pose.

• It is not an offence to have Japanese knotweed or any other invasive weeds (listed within this website) on your land and it is not illegal to plant or spread them on your land.
• Allowing Japanese knotweed or other invasive weeds (Giant hogweed, Himalayan balsam etc.) to grow from your property onto other people’s property may be regarded as a private nuisance and this would be a civil matter under common law that may result in legal action and financial penalties.

The information below relates to Japanese knotweed in particular and it is relevant for some other invasive weeds depending on which country they are located in within the UK.

Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (WCA 1981)

Section 14(2) of the states that “if any person plants or otherwise causes to grow in the wild any plant which is included in Part II of Schedule 9, he shall be guilty of an offence.” Japanese knotweed is listed in the Schedule.

Anyone convicted of an offence under Section 14 of this Act may face a fine of £5,000 and/or 6 months imprisonment, or 2 years and/or an unlimited fine on indictment.

Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2011 (asp 6)

Part 2—Wildlife under the 1981 Act

Section 14 Non-native species etc, states:

“(2) Subject to the provisions of this Part, any person who plants, or otherwise causes to grow, any plant in the wild at a place outwith its native range is guilty of an offence.”

Scottish Ministers can issue a species control order which means that the plant must be treated as specified in the control order.

Under Section 14K, if a person fails to carry out the control order or obstruct the work from being done then they are guilty of and offence.

“Any person guilty of an offence under section 14K is liable-

a)     on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to a fine not exceeding £40,000, or to both;

b)     on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or to a fine, or to both.”

Environmental Protection Act 1990 (EPA 1990), Part II

Any Japanese knotweed contaminated soil or plant material that to be discarded, intended to be discarded or required to be discarded is likely to be classified as “controlled waste”. It is an offence to deposit, treat, keep or dispose of controlled waste without a licence. If any Japanese knotweed or soil containing Japanese knotweed is taken to landfill either before or after treatment, it must go to a landfill that is authorised to receive it.

Waste Management Licensing Regulations 1994 as amended (the WMLR 1994)

Section 33 (1c) which makes it an offence to keep, treat or dispose of controlled waste in a manner likely to cause pollution of the environment or harm to human health.

Section 34 places duties on any person who imports, produces, carries, keeps, treats or disposes of controlled waste.

Other Relevant Legislation:

• Environmental Protection (Duty of Care) Regulations 1991 (as amended)
• Hazardous Waste Regulations 2005 (HWR2005)
• Waste Management Licensing Regulations 1994