‘Nature invaders’ cost UK more than £2bn

Damaging non-native plants and animals cost the UK economy well in excess of £2 billion last year, a coalition of conservation groups has warned.

Action is needed by the Government to tackle the rising costs of invasive species such as Japanese knotweed, grey squirrels and mink, and new invaders, the charities coordinated by Wildlife and Countryside Link urged.

In addition to the current costs invasive species pose, post-Brexit changes to trade agreements and wildlife security measures, and potential new trade routes could raise the risk of more “natural invaders” getting in, they warn.

The UK Government spent £922,000 in 2016/2017 in England on invasive non-native species, with just £335,000 spent on early warning and rapid response, despite preventative and early action being more cost effective than trying to eradicate species when they become more established, the groups said.

Camilla Morrison-Bell, chairwoman of the invasive non-native species group at Wildlife and Countryside Link, said: “The number of nature invaders setting foot in the UK is set to grow.

“Not only can they wreak havoc on our rivers, seas, and countryside, they can cause devastating damage to buildings, infrastructure and produce.

“Prevention is better than cure, so we need better resourcing for the work of enforcement agencies, backed up with legislation, to tackle the increasing nature invader threat.”

Japanese knotweed, a plant which harm habitats, increases soil erosion and flood risk and damages buildings, railways and roads, tops the list of costly invasive species with a £200 million price tag to tackle the problem in 2017.

New Zealand flatworms cost £23m in Scotland, while grey squirrels caused £17m of damage last year across the UK.

Picture: PA. Grey squirrels caused £17m of damage last year.