Module 3: preventing biological invasions Developing legal and institutional frameworks for invasive alien species

preventing biological invasions 2 what this module covers: 1.why prevention is critical 2.where prevention measures are applied 3.dealing with risk and uncertainty 4.regulating intentional introductions 5.pathway management to minimise unintentional introductions 6.education & awareness what decision-makers need to know about invasive species Module 1 laying the foundations for effective national frameworks Module 2 preventing biological invasions preventing biological invasions Module 3 responding to biological invasions responding to biological invasions Module 4 getting results: compliance, enforcement and liability Module 5 legal frameworks for cooperation beyond borders Module 6

preventing biological invasions 3 why is prevention so important? the most efficient and cost-effective way of dealing with invasive alien species is to stop them being introduced in the first place internationally-backed prevention and control strategies endorse the maxim “prevention is better than cure”. policy justification for prevention is based on the need to protect the country and region from the impacts described in Module 1

preventing biological invasions 4 prevention as first line of defence PreventionEarly Detection and Eradication Control Alien Species Introductions Adapted from Wittenberg R., 2000

preventing biological invasions 5

6 where are prevention measures applied? pre-border certification Inspection IAS-proof packaging treatment pre-quarantine for live organisms border compliance assessment visual inspection remote inspection x-ray cameras post-entry quarantine for live organisms post-border public awareness surveillance active passive pre-planned response programmes pre-planned management programmes

preventing biological invasions 7 key services in border-related prevention border control of imported goods clearance of goods, may involve ensuring that no prohibited goods are imported collecting necessary revenues screen imported and exported goods and incoming passengers to minimise importation of unwanted pests and diseases critical to trade facilitation and food security develop regulations to mitigate risks to human, animal and plant health arising from imports. import protocols set required process and product standards that exporters must meet in order to get permission for their goods to be imported Customs quarantine sanitary and phytosanitary services

preventing biological invasions 8 dealing with risk and uncertainty applying Risk Analysis to IAS traditionally applied to protect certain interests (e.g. commercial crops) and limited to certain taxa international instruments now support broader application to all taxa and pathways and all types of potential impacts needs to be science-based, independent, transparent and harmonised as much as possible with international practice.

preventing biological invasions 9 Risk Communication Informing stakeholders about the risks and measures to be taken to manage those risks Risk Management Identifying what needs to be done to eliminate or reduce the risks Components of risk analysis Risk Assessment Identifying and evaluating the risks from a particular species or the risks associated with a particular pathway

preventing biological invasions 10 Risk analysis can be used to prioritise pathways for control TRANSPORTATIONLIVING INDUSTRYMISCELLANEOUS Modes of Transportation Air Water/Aquatic Land Terrestrial Military Travel & Transportation of Military Vehicles Items used in Shipping Mail/Internet Overnight Shipping Travel Tourism/Relocation Plant Pathways Food Pathways Non-Food Animal Pathways Bait Pet/aquarium trade Aquaculture Non-pet animals Release of organisms for religious cultural or other reasons Nonliving Animal and Plant Related Pathways Biocontrol Other Aquatic Pathways Interconnected waterways Freshwater canals Marine/estuarine canals Domestic waste streams Interbasin transfers Natural Spread of Established Populations Ecosystem Disturbance Long-term (highway and utility rights-of-way, clearing, logging) Short-term (habitat restoration, enhancement) Garbage Transport/landfill

preventing biological invasions 11 risk analysis authorisation procedures species lists quarantine and border control treatment vector/pathway management education and awareness legal tools for IAS prevention

preventing biological invasions 12 regulating intentional introductions species that are directly introduced into the wild for economic reasons species introduced into captivity/containment (risk of escape or deliberate release)

preventing biological invasions 13 prevention tools for intentional introductions risk analysis environmental impact assessment: incorporate findings of the risk analysis and the potential environmental and socio-economic impacts of proposed introduction authorisation procedures: prohibitions (absolute or qualified) permits (case-specific or general permits) issued outright or with conditions (regarding treatment, inspection, measures to prevent escape, contingency plans, remedial action)

preventing biological invasions 14 species can be assigned a legal category based on an assessment of risk: to be effective, such lists need to be regularly updated Х black list white list OK more tests needed grey list prevention tools for intentional introductions (continued)

An importer wishing to bring in a new species (e.g. animal for farming) Risk analysis and Environmental impact assessment undertaken – Import either: Low Risk – Import accepted A licence or permit is issued to bring in the organism: states what quarantine conditions must be met and/or the treatment needed e.g. fumigation Relevant authorities inspect the new import to check compliance Audits are carried out to monitor the importer’s compliance with permit conditions Example of legal tools to screen intentional import High risk – Import rejected

preventing biological invasions 16 managing pathways and vectors (use of pathway risk analysis) quarantine and border control treatment education and awareness prevention tools for unintentional introductions

preventing biological invasions 17 legal frameworks must provide for identification of pathways & establish pathway controls prioritise high-risk pathways and be flexible for new pathways –consider existing sectoral instruments into which IAS pathway controls could be integrated –identify gaps that need attention managing pathways and vectors

preventing biological invasions 18 legal measures to minimise introduction of hitchhikers, stowaways and illegal introductions implemented at pre-border, at border and post-border stages measures in legal frameworks for phytosanitary treatment quarantine, border control and treatment

preventing biological invasions 19 in the late 1990s, military flights from the U.S. to Bosnia during the Balkan conflict introduced the corn rootworm into Europe. as a result, one of the U.S.’s worst crop pests has established and is spreading throughout Eastern Europe where corn is a staple cereal crop. (J. Waage pers. com.) “AID TRADE” example of pathway detection and risk management

tackling illegal introductions

preventing biological invasions 21 education and public awareness

thank you limitations of prevention no prevention system 100% effective national regulatory frameworks must also provide for control of IAS