Invasive Species - a Trillion $ Deal 🌱

Why Should We Care?

The Invasive Species Council of BC lays down some quick facts for us:

• The global cost of tackling invasive species costs an estimated $1.4 trillion each year, 5% of the global economy, states the Global Invasive Species Programme (GISP).
• Estimated crop losses in BC agriculture industry of over $50 million annually.
• Invasive plants specifically displace native vegetation through competition for water, nutrients, and space.
• Invasive plants impact human safety by obstructing sightlines and road signs. 
• Invasive plants impact human health by causing skin burns, dermatitis, and increased allergies
  

What is Integrated Pest Management (IPM)?

IPM is a decision making process that includes identification and inventory of invasive plant populations, assessment of the risks that they pose, development of well-informed control options that may include a number of methods, site treatment, and monitoring.

This is why industry companies are required to have a Pesticide Management Plan and Confirmation Number.