1. Development of IAS policy Institutional state of play 3 September 2010

2. 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

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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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,…

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

8. 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,…

9. 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

10. 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
: Technical support

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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