Invasive alien species are plants or animals alien to their natural environment, crowding out indigenous species and thereby representing one of the most rapidly growing threats to biodiversity in the EU. Recently the Commission took an important step which requires action across the EU to contain the spread of the 37 species identified as invasive in the first EU list adopted.
Invasive alien species have major economic consequences in areas such as health care and agriculture, causing damage to crops, infrastructure and protected species. The list was built following consultations with Member States and stakeholders determining those species that cause environmental and economic damage, on a scale that justifies dedicated measures across the EU. Member States are asked to contain these species by preventing them from being intentionally kept, sold, transported, reproduced or released.
Karmenu Vella, EU Commissioner for Environment, Fisheries and Maritime Affairs said: “Some species of plants and animals can damage property, crops and livelihoods so they need to be kept out if possible and under control if not. This needs to be done at EU level as invasive species don’t stop at borders. We are acting on a problem that cannot be ignored as it costs us over €12 billion every year.
This first list, generated with the help of Member States, will be kept under review and work is already ongoing currently to update the list to consider other strong cases.” The restrictions will start applying 20 days after publication of the list in the Official Journal of the European Union. The list and more information on DG Environment website.
