OATA has written to various Government ministers to raise our concerns about the length of time it is taking to bring back water hyacinth to shops.
The pond plant (Eichhornia crassipes) – along with six other plant and three animal species – have been marked for what is called delisting as an invasive species since March 2023, which would mean they would again be available to sell to pond owners.
The GB Non-Native Species Secretariat (GBNNS) has noted that these species have an ‘inability to establish in GB under the foreseeable climate conditions’.
Since the proposed de-listing in 2023, British businesses have lost over £3.5 million in trade from this species alone, with no associated biosecurity benefits. Scientifically reviewed revisions to invasives legislation have been promised since the UK’s departure from the European Union, but still no progress has been made.
