Legal implications of invasive weeds

If you have Japanese knotweed, giant hogweed or Himalayan balsam on land that you own or occupy you:

  • do not need to notify anyone
  • are not obliged to remove or treat these plants on your own land
  • must not allow Japanese knotweed or giant hogweed to spread onto adjacent land; the owner of that land could take legal action against you
  • must not plant or encourage the spread of japanese knotweed or giant hogweed; this can include moving contaminated soil from one place to another, or incorrectly handling and transporting contaminated material and plant cuttings.

In this guideline: