EU imposes ban on water hyacinth which is Britain's best-loved pond plant

The European Union has imposed ban on water hyacinth which is Britain’s best-loved pond plant because it is hated in Spain and Portugal. This plant has been added to the EU’s Invasive Alien Species Regulations which means it cannot be grown or sold anywhere within the EU.
This has been reported in dailymail.co.uk dated 31 July 2016.

In Britain, the water hyacinth is a favorite of pond owners because it protects fish from predators like herons and kingfishers, it oxygenates water, and prevents algae from clogging ponds. Moreover, it does not seed. It cannot escape into waterways and dies off completely after the first winter frost.
However, in warm climates like that in Spain, Portugal and South Africa, it grows rapidly creating thick floating mats on lakes and affecting water sports, boating and irrigation. Spain and Portugal have already halted sales because lakes are being swamped. They have lobbied for the EU-wide ban because they claim that Britons who own holiday homes might smuggle it in their luggage or cars to plant in their ponds.
Britain has opted for Brexit and while the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs spokesman said it would police the ban, it added that Britain remains subject to EU legislation until it leaves the EU which is still some distance away.


Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org

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