Invasive and harmful weeds

The Weeds Act 1959 states that the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (now the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs - Defra) may investigate complaints and serve a notice requiring the occupier to take action in order to prevent the spread of certain weeds, namely:

• Spear thistle (Cirsium vulgare)
• Creeping or field thistle (Cirsium arvense)
• Curled dock (Rumex crispus)
• Broad leaved dock (Rumex obtusifolius)
• Common ragwort (Senecio jacobaea)

To download a Weeds Act complaint form click here.

Because of the threat that Japanese Knotweed and Giant Hogweed pose to native ecosystems, the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981(as amended) make it an offence to plant or cause them to grow in the wild. In March 2005 DEFRA published a Draft Horticultural Code of Practice (Helping to prevent the spread of invasive non-native species) which listed these two plants as invasive non-native species. Although the Code is voluntary, it aims to promote a standard of reasonable behaviour that will help to ensure compliance with legislation and prevent the spread of invasive non-native species.

DEFRA has published guidance on how to control harmful weeds and it is available here (This link will open in a new window).

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