1. Towards a dedicated legislative instrument on Invasive Alien Species
Introduction to discussions
Meeting with MS experts
13 October 2011 1

2. Introduction EU Biodiversity Strategy (May 2011) Target 5, by 2020:
IAS and pathways are identified and prioritized
priority species are controlled or eradicated
pathways are managed to prevent introduction and establishment of new IAS
Actions:
Action 15: Integrate additional biodiversity concerns into the Plant and Animal Health regimes by 2012
Action 16: Fill policy gaps in combating IAS by developing a dedicated legislative instrument by 2012

3. Action 15: Biodiversity concerns in EU Animal and Plant Health
EU Animal and Plant Health Revision
Deadline: 3rd quarter package of 4 legislative instruments
New animal health law
New plant health Directive
New Regulation for controls for inter alia plants and animals
New seed and plant propagating material Directive
use as much as possible existing schemes to cut on costs 3

4. Action 16: Dedicated legislative instrument4

5. Action 16: Dedicated legislative instrument
Problem tree

6. Action 16: Dedicated legislative instrument
From problems to solutions

7. Action 16: Dedicated legislative instrument
From problems to solutions
MGT / REST. 7
EWRR 6
4-5
PREVENTION
1-2-3

8. Action 16: Dedicated legislative instrument
From problems to solutions
Option 1
Option 2
Option 3
Principle
Black list (scope limited to a certain number of species which have negative impacts: IAS of EU concern and IAS of MS concern)
Emergency measures at EU or MS-level: those IAS are provisionally treated like the IAS on the black list
Black list (IAS of EU concern and IAS of MS concern)
Potential IAS of MS concern (unlisted, principle to be applied when MS issue permits or plan eradication or management measures)
White list (all species would be restricted EXCEPT those which are considered harmless: EU-approved AS)

9. Prevention
Trade measures
1-2-3

10. Prevention Trade measures
Restrictions on trade/import/marketing/transport/holding
Option 1 – risk-based black list of IAS (open system) – trade/import/etc only allowed with a permit
Option 2 – risk-based black list of IAS (open system) – trade/import/ etc completely banned
Option 3 – white list of safe AS (closed system) – trade/import/etc only allowed for white listed species

11. Prevention Trade measures
How to populate and depopulate the black list?
Black list = trade measures + restrictions on marketing, transport, holding + EWRR + management ?
Example: 163 worst IAS according to SEBI ?
RA to add and to remove IAS, RA: cf. EPPO, EFSA ?
Standing Committee on IAS for decision-making ?
Complementary MS-black lists: same provisions, but at MS-level ?
Separate black lists for Outermost Regions?

12. Prevention Trade measures
How to deal with blacklisted pets in possession when the Directive goes into force?
Provisional exceptions ? Under which conditions?
Only for animals ?
Sterilisation ?
Amnesty campains ?
Awareness raising ?

13. Prevention Trade measures How to regulate internet trade?
Legally traded overseas – illegally traded to the EU ?

14. Prevention
Restrictions to release
4-5

15. Prevention Restrictions to release
Option 1 – black-listed species banned from being released into the wild
Option 2 – no release into the wild of black listed species + permits for any other AS
concept of potential IAS – unlisted, but competent authority at MS level could deny permit thus banning release into the wild
Option 3 – only white-listed species allowed to be released into the wild with a permit

16. Prevention Restrictions to release How to define release in the wild?
Definition 1: wild = outside containment
Animals: OK
Plants: impossible, e.g. people want alien species in their gardens
Definition 2: wild = outside the cultivated environment
Plants: OK, however major leakage
Requirement to put in place all appropriate measures to minimise risk of escape
Black listing relatively more important for plants

17. Prevention Restrictions to release
Who should apply for a permit for release in the wild: the economic operator or the individual?
Alien species for angling: extent provisions from Aquaculture regulation ?
Alien species for hunting: include exceptions, e.g. pheasant and partridge ?
Alien species for falconry: require telemetry ?
Alien species for ecological services, e.g. biological control, composting: require an RA ?
Economic operators: RA for marketing ?
Individuals: RA for release ?
Other reasons?

18. Prevention
Pathway management 6

19. Prevention Pathway management Options
To be considered per pathway, major pathways (DAISIE):
Ornamental plants and animals, horticulture
Escapes from farms and zoos
Seed contaminants
Vessels
Canals …
Prevention
Pathway management

20. Prevention Pathway management
How can coordinated and effective action to address priority pathways be ensured?
Ornamental plants, forestry, biofuels: how to address plants spreading beyond the cultivated environment ?
Permit system for holding (vertebrate ?) animals ? Marking system for kept (vertebrate ?) animals ?
Additional legislation on weed contaminants ? (cf undesirable substances in animal feed)
Ballast water convention to be transposed in EU legislation ?
Measures to address manmade corridors, e.g. Danube-Mainz canal and Suez canal ?

21. Early Warning and Rapid Response

22. Early Warning and Rapid Response
Option 1 – EWRR only for new blacklisted species
Option 2 – EWRR for new blacklisted species + potential IAS
notification required for all new AS establishing in the wild
competent authority to judge which AS could become invasive
and thus qualify for rapid response
Option 3 – EWRR for all new AS establishing
Early Warning and Rapid Response

23. Management and restoration7

24. Management and restoration
Option 1 – MS decide on measures to be taken on (potential) black list species
Option 1A – no need to inform EU
Option 1B – MS required to inform EU
Option 2 – MS decide on measures to be taken on (potential) black list species, EU provides guidance (through committee)
Option 2C – only for priority habitats (e.g. Natura 2000, islands)
Option 2D – EU-wide
Option 2E – only for priority habitats + EU approval (through committee)
Option 2F – EU-wide + EU approval (through committee)
Option 3 - similar approaches, but targeting all alien species
Management and restoration

25. Management and restoration
How can coordinated and effective action to address established blacklisted species be ensured?
Degree of EU-pressure ?
Requirement to inform the EU ?
EU-guidance ?
EU-wide ?
Only for islands and protected areas ?
Requirement for EU-approval through Standing Committee?
Through regularly reviewed action plans ?

26. Conclusions and further steps
Timetable
Publication foreseen – third quarter 2012
Internal consultations:
regular internal consultations with several Commission services up to March/April 2012
Consultations with stakeholders:
Internet consultation before publication – first quarter 2012
Consultations with Member States
Planning 2 meetings with MS experts
First meeting – 13 October 2011
Second meeting – January 2012 (tbc)
Regular information:
CGBN meetings
Nature Directors meetings

27. For updated information see:
DG Environment website
CIRCA
Contacts: 27