Radio Broadcast on Japanese knotweed control
On Monday 13th October, Jeremy Vine, Radio 2 lunchtime, interviewed Dr Paul Beckett (pictured) in relation to the psylllids that scientists are hoping to introduce in the fight against Japanese knotweed. His words of wisdom explained that the introduction of another alien species would quite possibly bring problems of their own which has happened in the past in other countries.
The Cane Toad in Australia is a particularly good example. This creature was introduced to Australia from Hawaii to eradicate the cane beetles which were destroying the crops but, unfortunately, the toads ate everything except the beetles and, as they are poisonous and will eat almost anything including frogs, birds and small reptiles, they have increased to plague-like numbers.