Gauteng Smallholder July 2015 | Page 34

INVASIVE ALIEN Invasive species training offered T he SA Green Industries Council (Sagic) is running a series of invasive species training days. These courses are aimed at knowledgeable plant people in horticultural societies, garden clubs and conservancies. Invasive species are now regarded as a liability to landowners and smallholders will be aware that, according to the Nemba Alien & Invasive Species Regulation, all sellers of land must complete an Invasive Species Declaration Form, which must be given to the buyer of the property and lodged with the Dept of Environmental Affairs. This document lists all the occurrences of listed species on the land in question. Moreover, country estate agents will need access to a knowledgeable invasive species expert to check for invasive species on properties about to be sold. The Sagic thus offers invasive species identification training to knowledgeable flora experts - landscapers, horticu