Alien Invasive Plants (AIPs)
Invasive Alien Plant Legislation
In recognising the threats posed by invasive plants, the government of South Africa has provided legislation that either prohibits certain listed weeds and alien invader plants, or controls their use through a permit system. This legislation is the Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act (Act 43 of 1983). The Act lists about 200 plants, which are then grouped into three categories:
- CATEGORY 1: Invader plant species which may not be grown and must be controlled.
- CATEGORY 2: Invader plant species with commercial or utility value, which may only be grown with a permit under controlled circumstances.
- CATEGORY 3: Invader plant species, which have amenity value and which may be grown, but not planted, propagated, imported or traded.
