CPD Specifier magazine - January to May 2014 issue Jan 2014 | Page 39

Civils & Soft Landscaping

Treatment competency the key to cost-effective
knotweed control
Despite another summer of media scare stories
and some staggering statistics when it comes
to the cost of controlling invasive non-native
species within the UK, Japanese Knotweed, and
the treatment of it, need not be feared as long
as integrated management plans delivered by
competent professionals are put in place.
That’s the message from David Layland, joint
Managing Director of Japanese Knotweed Control,
against a background of increased customer
concerns over both the threat and the cost of
knotweed infestation.
An incredible £1.7 billion is spent every year on
controlling invasive species in the UK (Defra 2010)
with £70 million alone spent on the site at London
Olympics (RHS estimate). Meanwhile, national
press headlines continue to outline the dangers
of knotweed infestation and the problems it can
cause through denied mortgage applications and
aborted house sales.

0845 643 1168
www.japaneseknotweedcontrol.com

Reader Enquiry: 63

Reinforcing Japanese Knotweed Control’s
underlying themes of promoting best practice
and driving up industry standards, Layland offers
his own formula for successful treatment: an
integrated management plan specific to each
infested site and a proactive approach involving
the careful selection from the start of competent,
trained contractors and operatives.

“Looked at nationally, and not least using the
Defra data, the scale and expense of treatment
programmes appear enormous. However, the
correct choice of knowledgeable, fully trained
contractors and an active management plan
backed up by careful risk assessment and priority
of works, can seriously minimise costs and ensure
treatment success”, says Layland.
He continues to campaign for industry operatives
to have to fulfill several quality criteria as a
minimum requirement. These include being BASIS
trained, NPTC certified and Amenity Assured, all
underpinned with the offer of dedicated insurance
specifically for the task in hand.
Layland has also reiterated his commitment to
the Invasive Non Native Specialists Association
(INNSA). This new industry body for companies
involved in the control and treatment of invasive
species was recently established to drive up
industry standards and offer peace of mind to
clients and, as one of its founder members,
Japanese Knotweed Control suggests INNSA
membership should be another important
consideration when it comes to credentials
suitability.
See Japanese Knotweed Control at the DCE Meet
The Experts Seminar (p4 & 5)

Reader Enquiry: 64
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