Development of IAS policy Institutional state of play 3 September 2010

Invasive Alien Species (IAS) Introduction Invasive Alien Species (IAS) Species whose introduction and/or spread may threaten biological diversity or have other unforeseen consequences. The problem IAS are one key driver of biodiversity loss IAS are a rapidly growing driver of biodiversity loss Cost: in the EU at least 12 billion EUR per year Cost of inaction/delayed action >> cost of policy action No comprehensive EU instrument there is a need to take action at EU level

Content The international backdrop The pan-European backdrop The EU backdrop The member states’ backdrop Mandate for an EU strategy on invasive alien species

1. The international backdrop Convention on Biological Diversity (1992) CBD (1992), art. 8(h): Prevent introduction and control or eradicate IAS COP 4 (1998): Cross-cutting issue COP 6 (2002): Guiding principles COP 9 (2008): Gaps in the international regulatory frameworks Make use of existing procedures, make efforts to expand mandates COP 10 (2010) Address regulatory gap conc. introduction of IAS as pets, aquarium and terrarium species, as live bait and live food

1. The international backdrop (cont.) World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) Prevent introduction of diseases to animals and humans Plant Protection Convention Prevent introduction of pests of plants and plants products European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organisation (EPPO) Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Fisheries Committee WTO-Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS) Harmonisation of sanitory and phytosanitory measures

1. The international backdrop (cont.) CITES (1973) Ballast Water Convention (2004) International Civil Aviation Organisation Inter-agency Liaison Group on Invasive Alien Species: CBD, OIE, IPPC, World Trade Organization, Fishery Committee of FAO, CITES, ICAO and the IMO fill gaps and promote coherence in the regulatory framework for invasive alien species Bonn Convention, Ramsar Convention,…

2. The pan-European backdrop Bern Convention (1979) 2003: European Strategy on Invasive Alien Species

3. The EU backdrop EU Legislation on animal diseases Plant Health Directive Aquaculture Regulation on IAS Risk assessment for introduction/translocation of aquaculture species and associated non-target species Wildlife Trade Regulation Marine Strategy Framework Directive, Water Framework Directive, Nature Directives,… Environmental Liability Directive, EU financial instruments,…

4. The Member States’ backdrop Variety of MS strategies Stimulated by Bern Convention – IAS-strategy Variety of definitions, risk assessments, regulations, alert systems and early eradication actions Generally driven by the environment department and little interference with other sectors (e.g. animal and plant health) Cooperation between MS, e.g. Nobanis

5. Mandate for an EU strategy on IAS 2006: Commitment to develop an EU strategy, 2006 2008: Consultation meetings with representatives from MS and stakeholders, web-based public consultation Communication: Towards an EU Strategy on Invasive Species A: Business as Usual B: Maximising the use of existing legal instruments together with voluntary measures B+: Adapting existing legislation C: Comprehensive, dedicated EU legal instrument 2006-2010: Technical support

5. Mandate for an EU strategy on IAS Economic and Social Committee, June 2009 Supports the adoption of a comprehensive, dedicated EU legal instrument Supports the establishment of a new European Agency to coordinate and execute the management of IAS Calls for EU-wide ratification of the Ballast Water Management Convention

5. Mandate for an EU strategy on IAS Committee of the Regions, June 2009 Supports a European level strategy in the interest of effectiveness Expresses support for a dedicated directive Calls for the introduction of strict rules to control imports of non-indigenous species

5. Mandate for an EU strategy on IAS Environment Council, June 2009 Noted the fragmentation, generality and lack of consistency of legislation Called for an effective strategy to fill existing gaps, including: preparing new dedicated legislative elements amending or incorporating existing provisions developing an information system for early warning and rapid response

5. Mandate for an EU strategy on IAS European Council, March 2010 EU headline target: To halt the loss of biodiversity and the degradation of ecosystems services in the EU by 2020, restore them in so far as feasible, while stepping up the EU contribution to averting global biodiversity loss