The Invasive Alien Species Regulation State of play DG ENV – Biodiversity Unit European Commission Marine Strategy Coordination Group Brussels, 13 May 2014

Invasive Alien Species (IAS) Transported, through deliberate or accidental human action, outside their natural range across ecological barriers Have serious negative impacts on biodiversity, as well as on human health and the economy IAS are second major cause of biodiversity loss

Some marine examples Carpet sea squirt - Didemnum vexillum American jackknife clam - Ensis directus

The EU and International context Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 Aichi Biodiversity Targets Specific target on IAS, target 9 Biodiversity Strategy 2011-2020, incl. target 5 IAS and pathways are identified and prioritised Priority species are controlled or eradicated Pathways are managed to prevent introductions and establishment of new IAS

An EU Regulation Guiding principles Prioritisation Focus on prevention proportionality Focus on prevention internationally recognised approach Use existing instrument and increase coordination recognise MS measures – balancing coordination and flexibility minimise implementation costs

The structure Chapter 1: General provisions Chapter 2: Chapter 3: Chapter 5: Horizontal provisions Chapter 6: Final provisions Management of established IAS Early Detection and Rapid Eradication Prevention

List of IAS of Union concern Dynamic list Worst species Based on criteria and full risk assessment Developed and updated with the assistance of a Committee (with Member States) and a scientific forum IAS of Union concern IAS IAS of Member State concern IAS of Regional concern

Criteria for IAS of Union concern Alien to the territory Capable of establishing and spreading Likely to have significant adverse impacts on biodiversity, and may also have impacts on human health and the economy Demonstrated by risk assessment that action at Union level is required Likely that inclusion in list will prevent, minimise or mitigate the adverse impacts IAS listed may be present or absent from EU

Risk assessments Species description Reproduction and spread Elements Species description Reproduction and spread Pathways of introduction and spread Risk of introduction and spread Current and future distribution Adverse impacts Potential damage costs Known uses and benefits Rationale Rigorous assessment Harmonised Build upon existing risk assessment protocols – no overhaul of existing system Study ongoing to develop minimum standards

Measures on IAS of Union concern Prevention Species ban Pathway management to tackle unintentional introductions – focus on priority pathways and flexibility for Member States Border control Permits for research – managed by Member States Possible authorisations for other activities in contained holding – managed by the Commission Early detection and rapid eradication Surveillance – whole territory incl. marine territorial waters Early detection and notification Rapid eradication Derogations possible – Commission with the Committee has the right to object Management of established IAS Flexibility for MS Choice between eradication, containment and control Animal welfare and environmental considerations

Action beyond the IAS of Union concern Emergency measures Possibility to act quickly on potentially very damaging IAS, while developing risk assessmet Antechamber of EU list Fully SPS compliant Actions to tackle IAS of regional concern Provisions to foster cooperation between MS on IAS of regional concern Could be species native in one part of the EU Legal tools if voluntary cooperation does not occur Actions to tackle IAS of Member States concern MS prerogative to identify IAS problematic for their territory Action at national level to be notified to the Commission and must be compatible with the Treaty Restoration measures Proportionate restoration measures for ecosystems damaged by IAS

Horizontal provisions Cost-recovery Cooperation and coordination More stringent national rules Final provisions Reporting and review Information support system (easin.jrc.ec.europa.eu) Public participation Committee and Scientific Forum Penalties Transitional provisions

Links and synergies with MSFD Territorial scope includes EEZ - all areas and activities where the Member States exercise full sovereignty or enjoy sovereign rights Pathway management direct reference to MSFD definition of marine waters actions would contribute to good environmental status Surveillance limited to marine territorial waters make use of data collected through MSFD EASIN could provide useful data to support MSFD

Links and synergies with MSFD Restoration measures reference in recital to restoration measures to enhance the environmental status of marine waters (direct ref to MSFD) MSFD programmes of measures – ecosystems more resilient and less vulnerable to IAS Cooperation and coordination reference to marine subregions identified in MSFD Further synergies…

Thank you for your attention! valentina.bastino@ec.europa.eu myriam.dumortier@ec.europa.eu http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/invasiveali en/index_en.htm