Recent activities on invasive alien plants in Slovakia
The Slovakian law (Act No. 543/2002 Coll. on Nature and Landscape Protection) provides a framework for protection of native species and ecosystems. The Act makes it prohibited to import, possess, grow, reproduce and trade both IAS and their parts or products thereof that could cause their spread.
According to the Order of the Ministry of the Environment No. 24/2003 Coll., provisions apply to 7 plant species (the most problematic): Fallopia japonica (Polygonaceae, EPPO List of invasive alien plants), Fallopia × bohemica (Polygonaceae, EPPO List of IAP), Fallopia sachalinensis (Polygonaceae, EPPO List of IAP), Heracleum mantegazzianum (Apiaceae, EPPO List of IAP), Impatiens glandulifera (Balsaminaceae, EPPO List of IAP), Solidago canadensis (Asteraceae, EPPO List of IAP) and Solidago gigantea (Asteraceae, EPPO List of IAP). In 2011, according to the order No. 173/2011 Coll. of the Ministry of the Environment of the Slovak Republic, 2 new species were added: Ambrosia artemisiifolia (Asteraceae, EPPO List of IAP) and Helianthus tuberosus (Apiaceae, EPPO List of IAP).
In the framework of the protection of sandy and floodplain habitats against invasive alien plant species, and in partnership with Hungary, the following species are subject to control actions: Acer negundo (Sapindaceae), Ailanthus altissima (Simaroubaceae, EPPO List of IAP), Amorpha fruticosa (Fabaceae, EPPO List of IAP), Asclepias curassavica (Apocynaceae), Prunus serotina (Rosaceae, EPPO List of IAP) and Robinia pseudoacacia (Fabaceae). Control methods are being tested for Celtis australis (Ulmaceae), Fraxinus pennsylvanica (Oleaceae) and Gleditsia triacanthos (Fabaceae).
Sources
Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (2013) Implementation of recommendations on invasive alien species. National reports and contributions. Bern Convention group of experts on invasive alien species, Alghero, Sardinia, Italy (20-22 June 2013), pp 67-69.
Institute for European Environmental Policy (2007) Technical support to EU strategy on invasive alien species (IAS). Policy options to minimize the negative impacts of IAS on biodiversity in Europe and the EU. 127 p.