Scotland clamps down on non-native species

12:23 29th June 2010

Scottish garden and greenhouse owners who introduce non-native plants or animals into the wild could end up footing a hefty bill to reverse the problem.

According to the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), the Scottish government has taken steps to tackle the issue by introducing a new wildlife and natural environment bill.

The move comes after problems were identified with a number of foreign species, such as Japanese knotweed and Rhododendron ponticum, which have taken over large swathes of the countryside.

Under the new bill, Scottish Natural Heritage will have the power to take action against any non-native species at the cost of the landowner responsible.

Environment minister Roseanna Cunningham explained that the government had identified the need to draw up the bill before the problems get out of hand.

"Tougher action is needed to ensure that the exotic garden plants we throw on our compost heaps do not germinate into nuisance species," she said.

In other news, the RHS recently gave garden and greenhouse enthusiasts some advice on what needs watering and what can be left in a drought.