INNS Out Scheme

• Preventing the introduction and/or spread of INNS.
• In an environmentally designated site or along a waterbody within the catchments in which Affinity Water operate.
• Contributing towards achieving Water Framework Directive objectives. To check the WFD status of your waterbody click here.
• Asking for funding support up to £5000 for standard projects
• Asking for funding support up to £10,000 for catchment wide schemes. (Note: a catchment scheme should be coordinated and submitted by a host or organisation on behalf of the whole catchment and therefore only one application should be submitted per catchment)
• Asking for volunteer support from the Affinity Water volunteer network

• Volunteers required for a ‘Balsam Bashing’ event (or similar).
• Help in organising volunteer events.
• Educational resources or training to identify and treat INNS.
• Equipment for INNS treatment and removal.
• Biosecurity initiatives to stop the introduction/spread of INNS. For example, signage and biosecurity infrastructure.
• Costs associated with the control, treatment, and removal of INNS
• Training for INNS treatment such as the spraying of Japanese Knotweed.

INNS often compete with native species for resources like food, water, and space. Because they typically have no natural predators in their new environment, their populations can explode, disrupting the balance of local ecosystems. This can lead to:

• Declines in native biodiversity.
• Damage to agriculture, forestry and soil health.
• Negative impacts on water quality and availability.
• Increased costs for management and control.
• Can cause harm to humans and wildlife. In some cases, INNS can carry diseases that affect native wildlife or humans.

INNS come in many forms, including the below examples:

1. Invasive plants. For example:

• Japanese knotweed: A fast-growing plant that damages buildings and infrastructure with its strong roots.
• Himalayan balsam: Crowds out native plants and contributes to soil erosion along riverbanks.
• Giant hogweed: Can cause severe skin burns and blisters on contact with its sap.
• Cotoneaster: Fast-spreading shrub that crowds out native plants.
• Floating pennywort: Aggressive aquatic plant that chokes waterways and reduces oxygen levels. New to removing pennywort? Here is a handy video from one of our partnership organisations explaining how to remove floating pennywort. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hD6Wpv8mf-I

2. Invasive animals and insects. For example:

• American mink: Predates on native birds and small mammals, impacting local wildlife.
• Asian hornet: Predatory insect that threatens native pollinators
• Signal crayfish: Outcompetes native crayfish and damages freshwater habitats.

These are just a few examples. For detailed information on these and many other INNS, including current alerts and identification guides, visit the Non-Native Species Secretariat (NNSS)

Recognising these species is the first step in protecting your land and the environment.

You can help by:

• Reporting sightings through citizen science platforms like INNS Mapper and/or to local authorities and organisations, taking clear photos and noting locations to aid identification.
• Avoiding spreading plant material or animals when moving equipment or soil – practice check, clean, dry.
• Following local advice on control or removal. Note: professional removal services should be sought out for several INNS species, always check before attempting removal.
• Sharing information with neighbours and local groups to raise awareness.

Visit NNSS for more information on what you can do to help control the impact of INNS.

• Volunteers required for a ‘Balsam Bashing’ event (or similar).
• Help in organising volunteer events.
• Educational resources or training to identify and treat INNS.
• Equipment for INNS treatment and removal.
• Biosecurity initiatives to stop the introduction/spread of INNS. For example, signage and biosecurity infrastructure.
• Costs associated with the control, treatment, and removal of INNS
• Training for INNS treatment such as the spraying of Japanese Knotweed.

Landowners have an important role to play in managing Invasive Non-Native Species. Under UK law, it is an offence to:

• Plant or otherwise cause INNS to grow in the wild
• Allow INNS to spread from your land to neighbouring areas

Landowners are responsible for preventing the spread of these species from their property. This means taking reasonable steps to control or eradicate INNS where possible.

Failing to manage INNS can lead to legal consequences, including fines or enforcement action. Managing INNS not only protects the land but helps safeguard biodiversity and the wider environment.

For detailed guidance on legal duties and best practices, visit the Government website for more information.

Its very important to obtain the appropriate permits, training, PPE and advice on how to identify, remove and dispose of any Invasive Non-Native Species. Below are some links and information regarding removal of some INNS examples, you may find helpful.

New to removing pennywort? Here is a handy video from one of our partnership organisations explaining how to remove floating pennywort.

‘Knot’ a fan of Japanese Knotweed? Knotweed is most effectively removed via chemical spraying. You must have the appropriate training and permits to administer chemical spray treatments, therefore Knotweed removal requires expert/professional help.

Up for some Balsam Bashing? Himalayan Balsam that is easy, and safe, to access can be manually removed by hand pulling the entire plant (roots and all!) and leave it in a pile to dry out and die. Himalayan Balsam has very sensitive seeds that can burst with the slightest touch so remember, it’s best to do manual pulling during the months of June and July, before the seeds are formed.

See a video of our friends at Herts and Middlesex Trust carrying out a balsam bashing session: