Written Answers to Questions - Northern Ireland Assembly

Friday 20 July 2012 Written Answers
1 The Planning Bill which will bring forward a number of the reforms contained in the Planning Act
(NI) 2011 and apply them to the Department in advance of the transfer of powers to district
councils; I hope to introduce this Bill before the end of this Assembly session;
2 Local Government Reorganisation which provides for the reorganisation of local government;
new governance arrangements for councils; a new ethical standards regime; the introduction of
community planning powers and the power of well-being; and an updated service delivery and
performance improvement regime. I expect to introduce this Bill to the Assembly in October 2012.
3 National Parks Bill which will allow for the identification, designation and management of national
parks, forecast to be introduced in November 2012.
4 Road Traffic Amendment No 1 which will lower the limits on blood alcohol levels for motorists
, introduce other measures to tackle drink driving; and introduce a new regime for learner and
novice drivers to address high fatality levels in this group. I anticipate this Bill will be introduced to
the Assembly in December 2012.
5 The Carrier Bag Levy Bill which I hope to introduce in January 2013 will extend the levy to certain
types of re-usable carrier bags.
I propose to introduce 4 Bills during the 2013-14 Assembly Session. At this stage I cannot be more
definitive on their date of introduction. These are:
1 The Buses (Licensing of Operators) Bill which will overhaul the bus licensing regime;
2 The Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill No 2 which will introduce mutual recognition of penalty points
for motoring offences between Northern Ireland and Ireland; and to make necessary legislative
amendments regarding drug driving offences.
3 The Environmental Better Regulation Bill which will reduce the environmental regulatory burden on
business and enhance protection of the environment.
and
4 The Climate Change Bill which will introduce statutory targets for greenhouse gas emissions in
Northern Ireland.
Disposal of Japanese Knotweed
Mr Agnew asked the Minister of the Environment what action his Department is taking to prevent the
invasion and the irresponsible disposal of Japanese knotweed.
(AQW 13159/11-15)
Mr Attwood: The Department of Environment recognises the threat posed by invasive alien species
(IAS) such as Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica). As such, the Department has been taking action
to address this issue for several years.
Due to the threat posed by Japanese knotweed the Department of Environment listed it on Schedule 9
Part II of The Wildlife Order (NI) 1985 (as amended). As such, under Article 15, it is an offence for any
person to plant or otherwise cause Japanese knotweed to grow in the wild. This piece of legislation is
enforced by PSNI.
I have been informed by officials in the Northern Ireland Environment Agency that they have undertaken
control of a range of invasive species, including Japanese knotweed, on properties under their
ownership or management. Where the growth of Japanese knotweed occurs in areas outside those
owned or managed by the Department it is the decision and responsibility of the individual landowner
or land manager to undertake control.
To assist landowners NIEA has developed a range of best practice management guidance documents
which outline the range of known control options available for the control of Japanese knotweed in
addition to waste legislation requirements to prevent irresponsible disposal. These documents are
available online on the Invasive Species Ireland website and the DOE website.
WA 533