It escaped into the wild and is now recorded throughout the UK, particularly along the banks of watercourses. Himalayan Balsam is now controlled by legislation in the UK, making it a criminal offence to encourage or cause the growth of this plant – this can include moving soils that contain the seeds of this plant. Plants can grow up to 3m tall, making this the tallest annual species growing wild in the UK. You can change your cookie settings at any time. To help us improve GOV.UK, we’d like to know more about your visit today. This has become apparent in the 2017 decision on Network Rail Infrastructure v Williams & Waistell [2018] EWCA Civ 1514, and the subsequent decision of Smith & Smith … You must not plant in the wild, or cause to grow in the wild, listed plants which are either non-native, or invasive non-native. And gardeners that grow the plant are encouraged to prevent it escaping their property. You’ve accepted all cookies. Section 14 prohibits the introduction into the wild of any species of animal (including birds, reptiles, fish, invertebrates etc.) The project is a collaboration of fishing clubs, nature conservation groups and landowners. The landowner could take legal action against you. Read the guidance on how to control and dispose of Japanese knotweed. Control of invasive non-native species. You can dispose of this plant waste in a landfill site if you have a bespoke environmental permit allowing it. List of Options. that is not ordinarily resident in and is not a regular visitor to Great Britain in a wild state, or any species of animal or plant listed on schedule 9. Contact the Environment Agency if you want to: Moved information about ragwort and weeds to a new guide 'Stop harmful weeds, including ragwort from spreading'. It has an explosive seed capsule, which scatters seeds over a distance of up to 7m. We use cookies to collect information about how you use GOV.UK. It will take only 2 minutes to fill in. Soil or plant material contaminated with invasive non-native plants can cause ecological damage and may be classified as controlled waste. If you allow Japanese knotweed to grow on anyone else’s property you could be prosecuted or given a community protection notice for causing a nuisance . If you want to use listed species for other activities in exceptional cases for reasons of public interest, including social and economic reasons, you must apply for a permit. It’s an offence to keep, treat or dispose of waste that could harm: To dispose of invasive non-native plant waste off site you must: You cannot compost most non-native plants because they: You must dispose responsibly all soil contaminated with persistent chemicals such as herbicides that do not break down, which are usually hazardous waste. Himalayan Balsam was introduced to the UK in 1839 as a greenhouse and warm garden plant and, within a few years had escaped into the wild. This can include intentionally moving contaminated soil or plant cuttings. Now, it's not only knotweed that will stop you getting a mortgage. Himalayan Balsam is an invasive plant with easily identifiable pink or white heart-shaped flowers, that was introduced to the UK in 1839. If you've ever wandered along a riverbank, pond or lake, we guarantee you will have seen it at least once! If this species already occurs on your land, there is no legal requirement to control it but you are expected to take reasonable steps to prevent it from escaping spreading into the wild. You must not import, transport, keep, breed, sell, use or exchange, grow or cultivate, or release into the environment species of invasive non-native (alien) plants. Himalayan Balsam was added to Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 in April 2009 in Wales and England. Himalayan balsam is so invasive that, in UK law, it is illegal to plant or encourage it to grow in the wild. If you do, you can be fined or sent to prison for up to 2 years. Himalayan Balsam (Impatiens Glandulifera) Species Identification Height: A tall, annual herb growing up to 2.5m Stem : Hollow brittle stems which are light green/ red early in the year, turning pink/red in summer. Commonly found along riverbanks and streams, around ponds and lakes, in wet woodlands and in ditches and damp meadows. Leaf: Finely serrated slender to elliptical leaves, often with a reddish mid-rib. Scottish Rural Development Programme 2014 - 2020 . Eradication may be possible in two to three years unless your site is being colonised by seeds from further upstream. Introduced to the UK in 1839, Himalayan balsam is now a naturalised plant, found especially on riverbanks and in waste places where it has become a problem weed. Himalayan balsam legislation. If you’re a farmer or landowner burning invasive non-native plant waste, you must tell: You’ll also need a registered waste exemption or environmental permit if you’re a business - this includes if you’re a farmer. As such, it is an offence to plant or otherwise allow it to grow in the wild. Himalayan Balsam was added to schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 in Wales and England. Lenders have long turned away people whose gardens are home to Japanese knotweed. Every summer, teams of conservation volunteers give their time to win back our countryside. Himalayan balsam and kiss-me-on-the-mountain arise from the plant originating in the Himalayan mountains. Control of invasive non-native species - Himalayan balsam. The 2010 Variation of Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 now includes Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera), Giant knotweed (Fallopia sachalinensis) and Hybrid knotweed (Fallopia japonica x Fallopia sachalinensis).The threat of legal action being taken against anyone causing the spread of these species will, hopefully, aid the removal of non-native species from the UK. Himalayan Balsam is an invasive non-native species, which mainly grows along river banks and in damp woodland. Although you are allowed to have Himalayan Balsam on your property, it is an offence to allow the invasive plant to spread someone else property. You can get rid of invasive non-native plants by methods including: Spraying with chemicals (known as ‘herbicides’) is an effective treatment to stop invasive plants from spreading. This Order gives effect to Regulation (EU) No 1143/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the prevention and management of the introduction and spread of invasive alien species (OJ No. The Police, Environment Agency and Local Authorities are not obliged to control Himalayan balsam on behalf of a landowner. Himalayan balsam is … Himalayan Balsam was added to Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 in April 2009 in Wales and England. The most commonly found invasive, non-native plants include: You do not have to remove these plants or control them on your land. This is often because the plant grows in inaccessible areas or sites of high conservation status where chemical and/or manual control is not an option. HIMALYAN BALSAM Status: Illegal to plant or to allow to grow in the UK. Its explosive seed pods aid its spread by sending the seeds into the river, causing further dispersal downstream. You must tell the Environment Agency a week before you intend to bury Japanese knotweed. Legislation. Himalayan Balsam Impatiens glandulifera Control of invasive non-native species A local project is currently underway with the aim of tackling Himalayan Balsam in this area. Himalayan balsam was introduced as a garden plant in 1839, but soon escaped and became widely naturalised along riverbanks and ditches, especially close to towns. We use this information to make the website work as well as possible and improve government services. Current control methods Traditional control methods are currently inadequate in controlling Himalayan balsam in the UK. Rural Priorities. The serrated leaves grow along the stem joints either in pairs or whorls of three. Ask permission from the Environment Agency before you bury invasive non-native plant waste on your land. What is Himalayan balsam? Himalayan balsam tolerates low light levels and also shades out other vegetation, so gradually impoverishing habitats by killing off other plants. Characteristics of Himalayan Balsam Himalayan Balsam is a large plant, normally reaching 1 to 2 metres in height, although in some cases it can grow as tall as 2.5 metres. This country later included it towards the end of 2011. It prefers moist soils but will grow pretty much anywhere. To bury invasive non-native plant waste without a permit you must meet the conditions in Treatment and disposal of invasive non-native plants: RPS 178. It will be included in Scotland by the end of 2011. It is an offence to plant this species or to cause it to grow in the wild. L317, 4.11.2014, p.35) (the Principal Regulation). If you do, you can be fined or sent to prison for up to 2 years. Don’t worry we won’t send you spam or share your email address with anyone. Legal status - Republic of Ireland At present, there are no specific legislative provisions that directly govern Himalayan balsam control or removal in the Republic of Ireland. This can include moving contaminated soil or plant cuttings. The species has the ability to regrow from the lowest node in the same season therefore control efforts need to remove the plant and root system or ensure to cut below the lowest node. Although you are allowed to have Himalayan balsam on your own land you cannot allow it to spread onto adjacent land. ... Identifying and removing Himalayan Balsam on businesslink.gov.uk; Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) The UK Environment Agency's guide to managing invasive non-native plants This page was last edited on 9 December 2020, at 02:13 (UTC). 5. A native of the Western Himalaya, it was introduced in 1839 to Kew Gardens as a greenhouse exotic. The plant has an explosive mechanism by which ripe seeds are hurled from the plant, to enlarge the colony or be carried away by water to fresh ground - the … You must not plant in the wild, or cause to grow in the wild, listed plants which are either non-native, or invasive non-native. Himalayan balsam is listed under schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Due to an absence of natural predators in the UK, dense colonies of Himalayan balsam can quickly establish, leading to adverse effects, which include: Outcompeting native plants. It is sometimes seen in gardens, either uninvited or grown … It usually takes repeated applications of herbicides to completely kill larger patches of invasive non-native plants. You can apply for a permit to use listed species for research, ex-situ conservation, and medicinal purposes. Teen wages war on Himalayan balsam, the alien weed destroying Britain’s countryside. Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) is an introduced summer annual that has naturalised in the UK, mainly along riverbanks and ditches. We’ll send you a link to a feedback form. You must only use approved herbicides. Once growing, Himalayan Balsam can spread at a fearsome rate and the problem here is now so huge that in the central Lake District alone, our Rangers and volunteers spend at least 50 days between them tackling the plant every year. As such, it is an offence to plant or otherwise allow this species to grow in the wild. Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) is listed under Schedule 9 to the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 with respect to England and Wales. This can include moving contaminated soil or plant cuttings. Leaving riverbanks exposed to erosion – Himalayan balsam dies back in winter and due to its ability to outcompete other plants, when it does die back, bare earth beneath the plant is exposed. It will be included in Scotland by the end of 2011. Schedule 9: The main piece of legislation covering non-native species is in the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended). The following information is also available as a leaflet which may be downloaded in pdf format - Himaylayan Balsam guidance and control leaflet (pdf) (opens in a new browser window) Introduced to the UK in 1839 from Northern India, Himalayan or Indian Balsam is most commonly found on riverbanks and damp areas, though it is capable of thriving in many other habitats. Farming, Forestry and Rural Issues. If you’re burning invasive non-native plant waste privately as an individual you should check with your local council that burning is allowed. It grows in dense stands and can be up to 2m tall. Despite its colourful flowers, a good nectar source for bees, Himalayan balsam is said to be one of the most problematic weeds in the UK. It is fast-growing and spreads quickly, invading wet habitat at the expense of other, native flowers. It grows rapidly and spreads quickly, smothering other vegetation as it goes. Himalayan balsam You can get help in identifying this terrestrial plant from the identification guides on the GB non-native species secretariat website . All content is available under the Open Government Licence v3.0, except where otherwise stated, Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, how to control and dispose of Japanese knotweed, Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) assessment, Treatment and disposal of invasive non-native plants: RPS 178, check the Environment Agency public register, SP4: Control of invasive plant species supplement, Stop ragwort and other harmful weeds from spreading, Invasive non-native (alien) plant species: rules in England and Wales, Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance and support, Transparency and freedom of information releases, New Zealand pigmyweed (this is banned from sale), make sure anyone spraying holds a certificate of competence for herbicide use or works under direct supervision of a certificate holder, get permission from Natural England if the area is protected, for example sites of special scientific interest, usually infest areas where the compost is used, find out when you need a waste licence to dispose of waste, complain about waste producers passing Japanese knotweed waste to waste carriers without telling them what it is. The green leaves are long and pointed and typically around 5 to 8 cm in length. It is locally c… Guidance revised. We are asking local landowners and other inter-ested parties to help us in this task. You must not allow Himalayan balsam to spread onto adjacent land – the owner of that land could take legal action against you You must not allow or encourage the spread of Himalayan balsam – this includes moving contaminated soil from one place to another or incorrectly handling and transporting contaminated material and cuttings Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and the Wildlife and Environment (Scotland) Act 2011 it is an offence to introduce Himalayan balsam into the wild. Japanese knotweed information moved onto separate page (but linked from this page). Himalayan Balsam (Impatiens glanulifera) is an attractive looking flower, with a stout, hollow stem, trumpet shaped pink/white flowers and elliptical shaped green leaves. Himalayan balsam; Menu. Removed section on 'Control invasive, non-native plants as part of a land management scheme' and RPA contact details as this is no longer part of cross compliance. Himalayan Balsam regrows annually from the seeds which are viable for 2 years therefore any control efforts must be carried out before the seed pods are produced for maximum effect. As such, it is an offence to plant or otherwise allow it to grow in the wild. Find out how to dispose of: In most cases, you’ll need to hire a specialist contractor. How to identify, control and dispose of invasive non-native plants that can harm the environment. Campaign to eradicate overgrown weeds begins in Durham as student says: "it must be stopped" Most non-native species listed on schedule 9 are already established in the wild, but continue to pose a conservation threat to native biodiversity and habitats, such that further releases should be regulated. Himalayan balsam is a relative of the busy Lizzie but reaches well over head height, and is a major weed problem, especially on riverbanks and waste land, but can also invade gardens. But being listed in the Countryside and Wildlife Act is not enough to stop the balsam advance. Himalayan Balsam is commonly found adjacent to watercourses, in damp ground, and increasingly on roadside verges. Species Characteristics 2.1 Himalayan balsam is a non-native plant that was introduced to Britain in 1839. Himalayan balsam will be listed on the revised Schedule 9 of the Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985 and therefore it will be an offence to plant or cause it to grow in the wild, upon its inclusion. Any owner or occupier of land who allows an INNS plant to spread onto neighbouring land could now be found liable in common law nuisance. Don’t include personal or financial information like your National Insurance number or credit card details. 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