Spain: national initiatives on Code of conduct
The answers provided by Spain to the questionnaire on the implementation of the Council of Europe/EPPO Code of conduct on horticulture and invasive alien plants in European and Mediterranean countries are summarized below. The general conclusions of the questionnaire are presented in EPPO RS 2011/144.
The European Code of conduct on horticulture and invasive alien plants was translated into Spanish by the Ministry of Environment, Marine and Rural Affairs in 2009. This Code has been publicized to the horticultural industry in some regions.
Stage and scale of implementation: In progress at national level.
Partners associated: The main partners will be the nursery trade associations.
Target of the Spanish Code of conduct: Plant producers, plant importers, plant sellers and municipalities and probably road authorities.
Financing of the initiative: To be determined.
Use of legislation: The Law 42/2007 of the 13th of December on Natural Heritage and Biodiversity will implement the Code of conduct, and its article 61 provides for the creation of a Spanish Catalogue of Invasive Alien Species. This Spanish Catalogue is currently under development and will come into force in 2012 through a Royal Decree.
Criteria to establish lists of invasive alien plants: To be determined.
Main requirements of the Code: To be determined. The main request will be to propose alternative species and indications on the invasive behavior of a species.
Use of incentives or sanctions: To be determined.
Revision or update of the Code of conduct: To be determined.
Prevention of the spread of Invasive alien plants: To be determined.
Communication activities: To be determined. In the Canary Islands, the Code of conduct is used by University professors in the Faculty of Biology in courses on plant conservation and the impact of invasive alien species. It is also used by the School of Agronomy in courses on ornamental flora.
Monitoring of the implementation of the Code of conduct: Not planned.
Sources
Contact: Isabel Lorenzo, Ministry of environment, marine and rural affairs, E-mail: at_tragsatec_21@marm.es