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

2. 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

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

4. The EU and International context
Strategic Plan for Biodiversity
Aichi Biodiversity Targets
Specific target on IAS, target 9
Biodiversity Strategy , 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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…

15. Thank you for your attention!
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