Japanese Knotweed (Fallopia japonica) is native to Japan, Taiwan and northern China, and was introduced to the UK in the early 19th century as an ornamental plant. Now one of the most pernicious plants in the UK, Japanese Knotweed is legally classed as a controlled plant under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 section 114 (2) (WCA 1981).  While it is an offence to plant or cause this species to grow in the wild, it is not against the law however to have Japanese Knotweed on a property but a landowner or leaseholder could be prosecuted or given a community protection notice for causing a nuisance if they allow Japanese Knotweed to spread onto someone else’s property. Responsibility for controlling Japanese Knotweed nearly always lies with the landowner unless the leaseholder is responsible for land management. Waste material from these plants is classed as ‘controlled waste’ under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and must be disposed of at a suitably licensed or permitted waste site.