The European Union adopts a new regulation on invasive alien species
The Council of the European Union adopted on the 29th of September 2014 a regulation on the prevention and management of the introduction and spread of invasive alien species.
The regulation lays down rules to prevent, minimise and mitigate the adverse impacts on biodiversity and the related ecosystem services, as well as other adverse impact on human health or the economy of the introduction and spread, both intentional and unintentional, of invasive alien species.
To this end, the European Commission will adopt an open list of invasive alien species of Union concern, which will be regularly updated and reviewed at least every six years. Species on this list may not be intentionally brought into the territory of the European Union, nor may they be kept, bred, transported to, from or within the Union, placed on the market, grown or released into the environment.
The new regulation addresses invasive alien species of regional concern and of member state concern. It allows member states to identify, from their national list of invasive alien species, species (native or non-native to the Union) that require enhanced regional cooperation. Such regional cooperation will be facilitated by the Commission.
The regulation establishes a surveillance system for early detection and measures for rapid eradication. Furthermore, member states must provide for penalties if the regulation is not correctly applied. The regulation also provides for a system of authorisations and permits to allow certain activities related to invasive alien species (e.g. research). The Regulation will enter into force from the 1st of January 2015.
Sources
Council of the European Union, Press release, 29 September 2014, Council adopts rules on invasive alien species. http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/en/envir/144948.pdf
EUR-Lex Website, proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the prevention and management of the introduction and spread of invasive alien species, /* COM/2013/0620 final - 2013/0307 (COD) */. http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX