Category 1: Declared weeds

Prohibited plants
Must be controlled, or eradicated where possible (except in biocontrol reserves, which are areas designated for the breeding of biocontrol agents)

Category 2: Declared invader plants

Mainly commercial plantation spp. but also plants for woodlots, animal fodder, soil stabilisation etc.
Allowed only in demarcated areas under controlled conditions and in biocontrol reserves
Prohibited within 30 m of the 1:50 year floodline of watercourses or wetlands, or as directed by the executive officer

Category 3: Declared invader plants

Mainly ornamental spp.
No further planting allowed (except with special permission)
No trade in propagative material
Existing plants may remain but must be prevented from spreading
Prohibited within 30 m of the 1:50 year floodline of watercourses or wetlands, or as directed by the executive officer

Indicators of bush encroachment:

Indigenous woody spp. which require sound management practices to prevent them from becoming a problem.

Important additions to the Regulations include:

1. A water use tax on plantations of Category 2 plants (in terms of the National Water Act, 1998)

2. Prohibition of Category *2 & 3 plants within 30 m of the 1:50 year floodline of watercourses or wetlands (*unless authorisation obtained),

3. Category 1, 2 & 3 plants may occur within biocontrol reserves (areas designated for breeding biocontrol agents)

4. Biocontrol reserves must not be disturbed by other control methods,

5. Various exemptions from compliance with the regulations may be granted to land users on application.

The number of declared weeds and alien invader plants (Categories 1-3) has increased from 56 to 198 spp.

Cannabis sativa (dagga) has been removed as it is covered by the Narcotics Act.

Lemna spp. (duck weeds) have been removed as they are not regarded as alien but cosmopolitan (world-wide spp.).

Acacia dealbata (silver wattle) has been upgraded to a declared weed in the W Cape.

Acacia longifolia (long-leaved wattle), A. pycnantha (golden wattle) & Leptospermum laevigatum (Australian myrtle) have been upgraded to declared weeds.

Hypericum perforatum (St John’s Wort) has been downgraded from a declared weed to declared invader (Category 2) because of its commercial value as a medicinal crop plant.

Several spp. have name changes eg. Opuntia fulgida (previously O. rosea misapplied).

Expansions of definitions: Rubus cuneifolius to include the hybrid R. X proteus and Lantana camara complex expanded to all seed-producing Lantana spp. and hybrids not indigenous to Africa.

More specific listing of spp. eg. Eichhornia crassipes instead of Eichhornia spp. and other plants of the Pontederiaceae.