Builders learn to battle aliens

Mink, rhododendron and grey squirrels are seen as unwelcome

Combating the spread of alien invaders such as mink, squirrels and rhododendron is to be discussed by builders and bus drivers.

A manual on non-native species and how to fight their spread has been written by the Construction Industry Research and Information Association (Ciria).

A special seminar to launch the manual is being held to look at the damage caused by these plants and animals.

Experts have said dealing with the alien invaders is difficult and costly.

The focus will be on plants and animals that spread rapidly, become dominant, and have a negative impact on both local biodiversity and the built environment.

Very often the impacts of invasive non-native species affect commercial businesses who then have to take costly action to deal with them Robin Payne Scottish Natural Heritage

Representatives from sectors including quarrying, transport and utility management will be sharing their experiences of dealing with the problem.

Robin Payne, of Scottish Natural Heritage, (SNH), said: "Scotland's biodiversity is continually under threat from invasive non-native species, such as American mink, grey squirrel and rhododendron.

"Very often the impacts of these affect commercial businesses who then have to take costly action to deal with them.

"This event is about bringing industry and nature conservation together to draw on experience both sectors have built up in dealing with these problem species to develop a well informed and structured approach that will be more effective and less costly."

'Economic damage'

Chris Chiverrell, of Ciria, added: "Infrastructure owners and operators and the construction industry can all play a part in managing the current problems caused by invasive species and their progressive spread.

"The cumulative damage, cost to the economy, current prevention and control measures of invasives needs to be better understood and appreciated by a wider audience than currently engaged, hence the importance of this event which is targeting an otherwise difficult-to-get-to audience."

Environment Minister Roseanna Cunningham welcomed the publication of the new manual.

She said: "Invasive non-native species can threaten biodiversity and, in some cases, create great economic damage.

"To address this issue, the Scottish Government launched a strategy last year, calling for greater awareness and for a stronger sense of shared responsibility across government, key stakeholders, land managers and the general public."

The seminar has been organised by Scottish Natural Heritage along with Ciria, the Scottish Government and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.