Must fire blight be reported everywhere in Switzerland?

Yes, in principle — the exact arrangements can vary by canton, which is why the responsible cantonal office is the authoritative point of contact.

May I use herbicides against Japanese knotweed on a pavement?

No — on paved surfaces such as pavements, the use of plant protection products is generally prohibited under ChemRRV Annex 2.5, regardless of the target species. Mechanical or thermal methods remain permitted.

← Knowledge

Invasive Alien Species and Notifiable Pests in Switzerland

Switzerland maintains a curated list of 19 organisms with an EPPO code classified as invasive neophytes or notifiable harmful organisms, several of which carry an actual reporting obligation under the Plant Health Ordinance (PGesV) or the Release Ordinance (FrSV, revised as of 1.9.2024). The handling of neophytes classified as invasive on paths, squares, and other paved surfaces is additionally subject to the plant-protection-product ban under ChemRRV Annex 2.5.

Organisms listed: 19
Of which neophytes: 11
Of which harmful organisms: 9
FrSV revision in force since: 01.09.2024
Legal basis for chemical ban on hard surfaces: ChemRRV Annex 2.5

Two different legal regimes

Neophytes such as ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) or Japanese knotweed (Reynoutria japonica) fall under the Release Ordinance (FrSV) Annex 2 — the 2024 revision distinguishes there between a handling ban (Annex 2.1) and a stricter trade ban (Annex 2.2). Harmful organisms such as fire blight (Erwinia amylovora) or the Asian long-horned beetle, on the other hand, fall under the Plant Health Ordinance (PGesV) with a direct reporting obligation to Agroscope or the cantonal office.

The chemical ban on paved surfaces

Regardless of a neophyte's classification: plant protection products may generally not be used on paths, squares, and other paved surfaces in Switzerland (ChemRRV Annex 2.5). For controlling problem species on such surfaces, mechanical or thermal methods remain available.

For your business

A wrong classification has real consequences: reporting a harmless native species as a quarantine organism triggers unnecessary administrative work; overlooking a species that actually must be reported can help it spread.

For the commissioning authority

The chemical ban on hard surfaces (ChemRRV) is directly relevant when awarding maintenance work on public squares, and should appear as a requirement in the tender.

What this does not mean

This list is curated and not exhaustive — it covers the 19 organisms most relevant to everyday Swiss landscaping practice, not the complete FrSV or PGesV catalogue.
EPPO code assignments have been verified against the EPPO Global Database where possible — where there is a risk of confusion, this is explicitly noted (`confusable_with`).
A reporting-obligation classification (`regulated: true`) does not replace a legal review of the individual case.

Frequently asked questions

Must fire blight be reported everywhere in Switzerland?: Yes, in principle — the exact arrangements can vary by canton, which is why the responsible cantonal office is the authoritative point of contact.
May I use herbicides against Japanese knotweed on a pavement?: No — on paved surfaces such as pavements, the use of plant protection products is generally prohibited under ChemRRV Annex 2.5, regardless of the target species. Mechanical or thermal methods remain permitted.