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Herbicide applications and SEPA Andy Hemingway. Briefly…. How to notify SEPA before using herbicides in or near water On-site management of Japanese Knotweed. The Law. Not illegal to have invasive species on your land But Wildlife and Countryside Act
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Briefly…. • How to notify SEPA before using herbicides in or near water • On-site management of Japanese Knotweed
The Law • Not illegal to have invasive species on your land • But Wildlife and Countryside Act • Offence to cause the spread of invasive species • WANE 2011 • If allow to spread to nearby landowner – may be a civil matter • JK and contaminated soil is controlled waste
Notify if….Herbicide Use in or Near Water? • All direct applications into water • ‘Near water’ • significant risk of entering water • including applications to land susceptible to flooding
Is Herbicide Use Essential? • Herbicides potentially toxic and polluting • Alternatives? • Cutting/burning/bashing • On site burial • Off site disposal • Address root cause of infestation
How to Notify us… • SEPA website – under ‘Application forms’ • Complete non-aerial application form • At least 3 weeks before • Include site plan • Paper or on-line
Which are Approved? • List of approved pesticides - The Blue Book • Now internet only • Pesticides.gov.uk • CRD • Pesticides Register • ‘Aquatic use permitted’ • Mostly Glyphosate as active ingredient
Your Responsibilities… • Scottish Water? – public DW supplies • LA? – private DW supplies • SNH, SWT? - Nature conservation sites • Fisheries interests? • Others? - fish farms
Japanese KnotweedOn-site Management of JKand contaminated soils • SEPA Guidance Note - website • Options • Spraying on site – best if time allows • Burning – WML exemption • Cutting – not strimming / flailing • Burial
On-site Burial of JK • Precautions • Only glyphosate • Locate where won’t be disturbed – erosion, development • >5m • cover with geomembrane, eg heavy plastic • Record location
Off-site disposal of JK and soils • Last resort? • Careful not to spread by hauliers or tracked machinery! • Controlled waste - transfer notes • Inform haulier and landfill operator • Site must have appropriate WML • Disposal at landfill requires • >5m depth etc
Herbicide Applications – simple! • Notify SEPA • Notify others who may be affected • Follow manufacturer’s instructions Other on site management of JK – not so simple! • contact SEPA if unsure
Contacts • Stirling office for herbicide notifications for • Falkirk, Stirling, Clacks, W Fife and part West Lothian Council • andrew.hemingway@sepa.org.uk • 01786 452595 • Out of hours pollution incident • 0800 807060