Invasive Alien Species: Toward a National Plan for Canada Workshop on Invasive Alien Species and the International Plant Protection Convention September 22-26, 2003 Braunschweig, Germany Environment Canada

Presentation Outline Context Context Canadas response Canadas response Progress-to-date Progress-to-date Toward a national plan Toward a national plan Focus on Plants Focus on Plants Next steps Next steps Invasives & the IPPC Invasives & the IPPC

Context - Definitions Alien species are species of plants, animals, and micro-organisms introduced by human action outside their natural past or present distribution Alien species are species of plants, animals, and micro-organisms introduced by human action outside their natural past or present distribution Invasive alien species are those harmful alien species whose introduction or spread threatens the environment, the economy, or society, including human health Invasive alien species are those harmful alien species whose introduction or spread threatens the environment, the economy, or society, including human health

Context – Biodiversity Convention on Biological Diversity (1992) Convention on Biological Diversity (1992) –Article 8(h):...prevent the introduction of, control or eradicate those alien species which threaten ecosystems, habitat or species Canadian Biodiversity Strategy (1995) Canadian Biodiversity Strategy (1995) –Canadian response to the CBD –17 federal departments and all provinces and territories

Context – Calls for action Commissioner on Environment and Sustainable Development Invasive Species Audit (Oct 2002) Commissioner on Environment and Sustainable Development Invasive Species Audit (Oct 2002) Government response to invasives that threaten biodiversity is not comparable to plant & animal health programs Government response to invasives that threaten biodiversity is not comparable to plant & animal health programs Federal investment is inadequate and inaction is leading to biodiversity loss Federal investment is inadequate and inaction is leading to biodiversity loss Environment Canada accepted the Audit recommendations: Environment Canada accepted the Audit recommendations: –coordinate a national action plan –secure commitment of relevant departments –monitor & report on effectiveness

Progress-to-date Joint meeting of resource Ministers councils: wildlife, forests, and fisheries & aquaculture Joint meeting of resource Ministers councils: wildlife, forests, and fisheries & aquaculture –Draft plan requested by Ministers (Sept 01) Elements recommended by multi-stakeholder National Workshop (Nov 01) Elements recommended by multi-stakeholder National Workshop (Nov 01) Blueprint approved and Thematic Working Groups requested by Ministers (Sept 02) Blueprint approved and Thematic Working Groups requested by Ministers (Sept 02) Thematic Working Groups established (Dec 02 - May 03) Thematic Working Groups established (Dec 02 - May 03) Federal-Provincial-Territorial Workshop (Apr 03) Federal-Provincial-Territorial Workshop (Apr 03) Discussion document approved-in-principle by Ministers (Sept 03) Discussion document approved-in-principle by Ministers (Sept 03)

Toward a national plan Definitions Definitions Scope Scope Rationale for action Rationale for action –The invasive alien species problem –Environmental threats –Economic threats –Social and human health threats –Pathways of invasion –What is working well –Inadequacy of current invasive alien species measures –International progress & lessons learned

Toward a national plan 3 strategic challenges: 3 strategic challenges: – Integrate environmental considerations into decision-making with economic and social factors – Enhance coordination to respond more rapidly to new invasions and pathways of invasion – Strengthen programs to protect natural resources under pressure from increased global trade and travel

Leadership and Coordination lead federal Ministers federal coordinating mechanisms FPT coordinating network independent advisory committee Leadership and Coordination lead federal Ministers federal coordinating mechanisms FPT coordinating network independent advisory committee Invasive Alien Species Draft Policy and Management Framework Legislation & Regulations coordinated framework Science surveillance taxonomy control methods monitoring research Engaging Canadians knowledge & information education stewardship International Cooperation bilateral regional multi-lateral Prevent harmful intentional and unintentional introductions Manage established and spreading invaders (eradicate, contain, control & restore) Respond rapidly to new invaders upon detection Detect and identify invaders pre-border and upon entry through surveillance Risk Analysis risk assessment + risk management + risk communication Scope 1. Aquatic ecosystems 2. Terrestrial ecosystems native biodiversity domestic plants & animals Scope 1. Aquatic ecosystems 2. Terrestrial ecosystems native biodiversity domestic plants & animals

Toward a National Plan Purpose Purpose Vision Vision Principles & practices Principles & practices Roles & responsibilities Roles & responsibilities Strategic goals Strategic goals –Prevention –Early detection –Rapid response –Eradication, containment & control Implementation strategies Implementation strategies –Risk analysis –Science –Legislation and regulations –Education and outreach –International cooperation Priority-setting criteria Priority-setting criteria Action plans Action plans –Aquatics –Animals –Plants

Toward a National Plan Leadership & Coordination Leadership & Coordination –Recognize lead federal Ministers –Establish interdepartmental committees for coordination and decision making –Establish an inter-jurisdictional coordination mechanism and/or network –Establish an independent multi-stakeholder advisory committee to provide advice to governments

Toward a National Plan Strategic Goal 1: Prevention Strategic Goal 1: Prevention –Integrated risk assessment, consistent nationally and internationally across sectors –Mandatory assessment of all proposed intentional introductions –Enhanced capacity for risk assessment –Coordinated federal risk management –Management plans for high-risk commodities, pathways, and vectors –Research to develop predictive tools –National public education and targeted outreach initiatives

Toward a National Plan Strategic goal 2: Early detection Strategic goal 2: Early detection –Develop capacity for pre-border inspection at sources/points of origin –Surveying new and emerging pathways –Develop a coordinated surveillance network that includes a public monitoring component –Enhance inspection capacity –Establish a core capacity of taxonomic expertise –Cooperate internationally to develop an international network of diagnostic experts

Toward a National Plan Strategic goal 3: Rapid response Strategic goal 3: Rapid response –Apply integrated risk assessment for newly detected invasives for which contingency plans have not been prepared –Develop contingency/emergency response plans –Develop contingency/emergency response networks –Ensure access to emergency funds to respond rapidly to invasions upon detection –Develop targeted education/outreach initiatives to secure support for management measures

Toward a National Plan Strategic goal 4: Management (Eradication, containment and control) Strategic goal 4: Management (Eradication, containment and control) –Use risk assessment to prioritize and identify options for managing well-established invaders –Develop management plans to eradicate or control priority invasive alien species –Develop management plans in partnership with stakeholders –Conduct research on eradication, containment, and control methods/technologies –Develop restoration/recovery plans for vulnerable ecosystems

Focus on Plants Terrestrial Plants Working Group on Invasive Species Terrestrial Plants Working Group on Invasive Species –Co-chairs and cross-sectoral membership ToR: invasive plants and all invasive alien species that impact plants ToR: invasive plants and all invasive alien species that impact plants –Plant pathogens/viruses, fungi, nematodes, insects, etc. –Invasive alien plants (e.g. weeds) Policy priorities Policy priorities –Clarifying accountabilities –Risk analysis –Coordination of surveillance

Focus on Plants Pathways, vectors Pathways, vectors Within Canada & internationally Within Canada & internationally Intentional & unintentional Intentional & unintentional agricultural crops agricultural crops nursery stock nursery stock restoration/remediation restoration/remediation ornamentals/seedlings ornamentals/seedlings packing materials packing materials commodities: seed, forage, food produce, grains/birdseed, wood products commodities: seed, forage, food produce, grains/birdseed, wood products spread/movement (e.g. wind, water, livestock - incl. transboundary) spread/movement (e.g. wind, water, livestock - incl. transboundary) hitchhikers on transport hitchhikers on transport aquarium trade aquarium trade soil/sod/gravel soil/sod/gravel escapes from research, botanical gardens, etc. escapes from research, botanical gardens, etc. travel & tourism (incl. baggage) travel & tourism (incl. baggage) Internet & mail order Internet & mail order

Next Steps Consultations to validate Framework (Fall 03) Consultations to validate Framework (Fall 03) Working groups to develop Action Plans (03- 04) Working groups to develop Action Plans (03- 04) Initiate consultations (Spring 04) Initiate consultations (Spring 04) Ministers to consider/approve draft National Plan (Sept 04) Ministers to consider/approve draft National Plan (Sept 04) Implement National Plan (Sept 04 - ongoing) Implement National Plan (Sept 04 - ongoing)

Invasives & the IPPC Definition of IAS includes the concept of plant pest Definition of IAS includes the concept of plant pest IPPC approach is informing draft national plan IPPC approach is informing draft national plan Draft national plan seeks to enhance capacity of existing programs Draft national plan seeks to enhance capacity of existing programs Canada is committed to building on what is already working well Canada is committed to building on what is already working well ISPM No. 11 – environmental risk assessment ISPM No. 11 – environmental risk assessment Environment sector is increasingly interested in the IPPC, and plant protection organizations are increasingly interested in biodiversity Environment sector is increasingly interested in the IPPC, and plant protection organizations are increasingly interested in biodiversity Environment sector will become more engaged in the IPPC as we move from frameworks to action plans Environment sector will become more engaged in the IPPC as we move from frameworks to action plans