A month to go to the INNSA conference

The Invasive Non Native Specialists Association (INNSA) Conference which is being held at the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester on 24th March will be a defining event for the invasive species industry.

The Conference will mark the launch of the INNSA Code of Practice which will set the industry standard for the remediation of Japanese Knotweed and other Non-Native species. The code will provide consumers and property professionals with peace of mind when dealing with Code subscribers. Kate Davies the Chairman of the Property Codes Compliance Board (PCCB) and Kate Faulkner from Designs on Property and a fellow PCCB Board member will launch the Code of Practice and outline the role the PCCB will have in regulating the Code. Jerry Fitzjohn form The Property Ombudsman (TPO) will also present on the role TPO will play in providing a redress mechanism for consumers under the Code.

There will be many more high profile guests and speakers at the conference, including industry experts such as Rob Simpson from BASIS and Professor Dr John Bailey from Leicester University. There will be a panel session with both Rob and John for any questions which delegates may have about invasive species in general and Japanese Knotweed in particular. Rob will also explain the role that BASIS has in the industry and how they will be working with INNSA in the future.

There will also be perspectives provided by other property professionals such as Graham Ellis from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, Paul Broadhead from the Building Societies Association and Simon Law from the Society of Licensed Conveyancers.

Finally, legal analyst Christine Oxenburgh will be present to talk about the Infrastructure Act which was passed into law on 12th February. In this Act of parliament, there are clauses relating to new responsibilities for property owners where invasive species are present on their land, which will directly affect the Invasive Weeds industry.

The Conference is open to all invasive species contractors and remediators to attend as well as property professionals who have an interest in invasive species.

To book a space at the Conference or for any questions please contact David Wardle at david@innsa.org or call on 0800 130 0485 and ask for David.