Your thoughts????

[rogesse]

Competition - when they run out of jkw what do they eat and do they out gun our own native species (think crayfish/harlequin ladies). Are they an equal food source going up the food chain?

All the ninja turtles released into London ponds are supposed to be 'relatively' harmless in that our climate is too cold for them to breed - cue so called global warming...........

[TEB]

The bit that bothers me about this, and I'm against introducing something noxious (the sledgehammer to crack a walnut) is, how many of you out there does the Japanese Knotweed affect?

Personally, there is a small patch about two miles away.

I think the introduction of this beastie is way OTT.

valmarg

I think just a wee bit of research would bring you some dividends. Just the mere fact that is listed under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 as a plant that is not to be planted or otherwise introduced into the wild. The Environmental Protection Act 1990 also lists it as 'controlled waste' to be disposed of properly. You have a legal obligation not to cause it to spread if it occurs on your land, should give you some idea of the problems this weed can cause.
So in answer to your question it affects all of us who's local council is engaged in controling it.

[TEB]

[QUOTE=rogesse;630233]Competition - when they run out of jkw what do they eat and do they out gun our own native species (think crayfish/harlequin ladies). Are they an equal food source going up the food chain? QUOTE]

Do you know I bet that question has never crossed their minds, here is a link to a 22 minute presentation Dick Shaw's Japanese knotweed presentation on Vimeo

[OllieMartin]

Do you know I bet that question has never crossed their minds, here is a link to a 22 minute presentation Dick Shaw's Japanese knotweed presentation on Vimeo

Personally that would be one of my primary research areas.
I would imagine every biological pest control experiment that has gone wrong would centre around what the introductory creature ALSO eats and hence would be a focus of research for any new initiative.

If they really haven't thought about it and it does go wrong I'm surely there'd be someone held acocuntable...surely?

[TEB]

Personally that would be one of my primary research areas.
I would imagine every biological pest control experiment that has gone wrong would centre around what the introductory creature ALSO eats and hence would be a focus of research for any new initiative.

If they really haven't thought about it and it does go wrong I'm surely there'd be someone held acocuntable...surely?

Yes it was number 2 on their list, first being the identification of a suitable predator. As for accountability, what in blameless Britain - your avin a laff int ya!

[organic]

Even if someone was held accountable if it went horribly wrong... so what?
Let's say they were locked up for life (yea right! - but let's say anyway) - they lose their freedom, their family lose their father/mother/whatever...

...there'd still be a huge problem to solve and no easy way to solve it.


IF it went wrong.
And it might not.

[OllieMartin]

Even if someone was held accountable if it went horribly wrong... so what?
Let's say they were locked up for life (yea right! - but let's say anyway) - they lose their freedom, their family lose their father/mother/whatever...

...there'd still be a huge problem to solve and no easy way to solve it.


IF it went wrong.
And it might not.

Agreed, my point was more that if someone is likely to be held accountable, then that should motivate that/those someone(s) to do all the necassary research before hand.

...hopefully

...maybe

...perhaps