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

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

Action 15: Biodiversity concerns in EU Animal and Plant Health EU Animal and Plant Health Revision Deadline: 3rd quarter 2012- 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

Action 16: Dedicated legislative instrument 4

Action 16: Dedicated legislative instrument Problem tree

Action 16: Dedicated legislative instrument From problems to solutions

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

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)

Prevention Trade measures 1-2-3

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

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?

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 ?

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

Prevention Restrictions to release 4-5

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

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

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?

Prevention Pathway management 6

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

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 ?

Early Warning and Rapid Response

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

Management and restoration 7

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

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 ?

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

For updated information see: DG Environment website http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/invasivealien/index_en.htm CIRCA http://circa.europa.eu/Public/irc/env/ias/library?l=/general_information&vm=detailed&sb=Title Contacts: valentina.bastino@ec.europa.eu myriam.dumortier@ec.europa.eu 27