Buy British plants to prevent invasive species, gardeners urged

Wildlife experts have urged gardeners to buy British plants to avoid bringing damaging invasive species into the country.

Environment coalition Wildlife and Countryside Link has also called for strict government restrictions on importing plants.

Red squirrels, water voles, ash trees and earthworms are just a few of the iconic UK species that are under serious threat due to harmful invasive species.

Red squirrel populations have fallen by 96% since the introduction of grey squirrels, water-voles have disappeared from 94% of their range, and earthworms have fallen by a fifth in some areas due to carnivorous foreign flatworms.

Horticulture is a key avenue of concern when it comes to the introduction of invasive species to the UK.

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Preventing new soil and plant hitchhikers such as fungi, flatworms, ants and slugs would significantly help in protecting UK wildlife.

Dr Richard Benwell, CEO of Wildlife and Countryside Link, said: “Invasive species are one of the top threats to wildlife. They’re also bad for business, affecting fishing, farming and leisure industries alike.

“Here in the UK some of our most cherished species, from red squirrels to juniper trees, are suffering huge declines as they face disease, predation and competition from invasive species.

“Prevention is better than cure so it’s important to stop further invasive species before they gain a foothold. Improved biosecurity measures are vital to prevent harmful species from hitching a hidden lift into the country in plants, trees and soil.”

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The government has launched a pilot scheme that aims to combat the threat of invasive species, including preventing invasive fungi attacking our trees.

From next month, all trees funded under Number 10 tree-planting schemes will be required to meet new biosecurity requirements.

But experts have warned the government needs to go further and extend these biosecurity requirements to all trees and potted plants entering the country, not just those used in tree-planting schemes

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Craig Macadam, conservation director at Buglife, said: “From carnivorous flatworms to tree-damaging moths, species hidden in imported soils, plants and timber can have a huge impact on UK wildlife.

“By buying home-grown British plants you can help to prevent invasive species reaching your garden and our countryside.

“While these species may be harmless in their native environments they can wreak havoc here, which is why we need much stricter controls on soil and plant imports and to boost home-grown plant production.

“Until there is a proven way to sterilise pot plants, the government must take effective action to only import bare-root plants and must ensure all soil and timber imports are sterilised."

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