New EU regulation on invasive alien species comes into force
The EU regulation, No. 1143/2014, on the prevention and management of the introduction and spread of invasive alien species came into force on the 1st January 2015. The new regulation aims to address the adverse impact alien invasive species have on biodiversity, ecosystem services, human health and the economy in the EU Member States. The regulation is centered on three main themes (1) prevention, (2) early warning and rapid response and (3) management.
The Regulation will restrict the use, trade and transport of invasive alien species, as well as include management and control measures, underpinned by a list of invasive species of EU concern which will be compiled by Member States and regularly updated and reviewed every six years. The initial limit of 50 species has now been removed and this will enable Member States to take specific actions on invasive species of national concern.
Sources
Official Journal of the European Union, link to the Regulation
Genovesi P, Carboneras C, Vilà M, Walton P (2014) EU adopts innovative legislation on invasive species: a step towards a global response to biological invasions? Biological Invasions DOI: 10.1007/s10530-014-0817-8.