Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981
Japanese knotweed is listed as a Schedule 9 species under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. It is an offence to plant or otherwise cause it to grow in the wild.
Controlled waste obligations
Under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, Japanese knotweed removed from land is classified as controlled waste. It must be transported by a licensed waste carrier and disposed of at a licensed facility.
Neighbour disputes
Japanese knotweed spreading from one property to another can form the basis of a private nuisance claim. Several court cases have established that landowners may have a duty to manage knotweed on their land to prevent encroachment on neighbouring properties.