On Sat, 25 Oct 2003 11:56:12 +0100, Kay Easton
wrote:

In article , martin
writes
On Fri, 24 Oct 2003 18:23:44 +0100, Kay Easton
wrote:

In article , martin
writes

If you google search hard enough and long enough you will find a DEFRA
.pdf file AFAIR that explains what action and against whom is to be
taken against those growing Giant Hog weed. In the case of private
individuals growing it, who refuse to remove it, a civil action may be
taken against them by the local authority.

That is if they are allowing it to be released into the wild.

No!

I beg your pardon, but yes. From the DEFRA site:

'4. Under section 14 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, it can be
an
offence to plant or grow certain specified plants in the wild (see
Schedule
9 of
the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981), including Giant Hogweed and
Japanese Knotweed. Problems involving these plants can be referred to
the
local authority for the area where those weeds are growing as some local
authorities have by-laws controlling these plants. There is no statutory
requirement for landowners to remove these plants from their property.
Further information about non-native weeds species can be obtained from
Defra’s European Wildlife Division at Bristol (Tel: 0117 372 6154)'

In case you missed it: THERE IS NO STATUTORY REQUIREMENT FOR LANDOWNERS
TO REMOVE THESE PLANTS FROM THEIR PROPERTY

except...
"local authority for the area where those weeds are growing as some
local authorities have by-laws controlling these plants"

It says somewhere that local authorities can start a civil action to
make you remove them. I assume that is when there is a local by-law."
--
Martin