EPPO Global Database

EPPO Reporting Service no. 11 - 2009 Num. article: 2009/223

A new legislation on invasive alien plants in the Comunidad Valenciana (ES)


The decree of 20 November 2009 on invasive alien species gathers all existing legislations published between 1994 and 2007. The scope of this decree is to prevent the introduction and proliferation of invasive alien species in the Comunidad Valenciana. It states the following obligations:

- A database on the invasive species which have major impacts in the Comunidad Valenciana should be created and should contain georeferenced information, so that their evolution can be followed.

- A monitoring network should be established integrating civil servants of the environmental sector, as well as staff of parks and reserves. Other entities and individuals could be involved, but all participants should be trained so as to be able to identify invasive or potentially invasive species. Public administrations and institutions in charge of managing land and waters should report the occurrence of invasive alien species.

- The decree also contains lists of invasive alien species (Annexes 1 and 2) which have been registered on the basis of scientific information, after the approval of the competent authority.

Species listed in Annex 1:
The decree prohibits the planting, trade, exchange and transport (except for the scope of eradication) of species listed in this annex. Derogation may be granted upon guaranty that the species cannot escape. Commodities infested with species listed in Annex 1 (at any plant stage) should be intercepted and eventually destroyed. Persons possessing species listed in Annex 1 should at the time of enforcement of this decree take measures to avoid their escape and spread.

Annex 1

Species
Comments
Azolla spp. all species (Azollaceae)
A. filiculoides is on the EPPO list of invasive alien plants (IAP)
Caulerpa racemosa, C. taxifolia (Caulerpaceae)
Marine species
Cylindropuntia spp. (Cactaceae)
/
Eichhornia crassipes (Pontederiaceae)
EPPO A2 List
Ludwigia spp.
L. peploides and L. grandiflora are on the EPPO List of IAP
Pennisetum setaceum, P. villosum (Poaceae)
P. setaceum is on the EPPO Alert list
Pistia stratiotes (Araceae)
EPPO Alert list
Salvinia spp. (Salviniaceae)
S. molesta is on the EPPO Alert list
Egeria densa (Hydrocharitaceae)
EPPO List of IAP
Elodea canadensis (Hydrocharitaceae)
/



Species listed in Annex 2:
The decree prohibits the introduction and planting, in specified forests and wetlands or along transport routes of species, listed in this annex. These limitations do not affect the use of those species in confined environments.

Annex 2

Species
Abutilon theophrasti (Malvaceae)
Acacia cyclops (Fabaceae)
Acacia farnesiana (Fabaceae)
Acacia saligna (Fabaceae)
Acacia retinodes (Fabaceae)
Agave spp. (Agavaceae)
Ailanthus altissima (Simaroubaceae) EPPO List of IAP
Aloe arborescens (Aloaceae)
Aptenia spp. (Aizoaceae)
Araujia sericifera (Asclepiadaceae) EPPO Alert List
Arctotheca calendula (Asteraceae)
Arundo donax (Poaceae)
Carpobrotus spp. (Aizoaceae) EPPO List of IAP
Cenchrus ciliaris (Poaceae)
Chloris gayana (Poaceae)
Cortaderia selloana (Poaceae) EPPO List of IAP
Cyperus alternifolius subsp. flabelifornis (Cyperaceae)
Disphyma crassifolium (Aizoaceae)
Fallopia baldschuanica (Polygonaceae) EPPO Alert List
Gazania spp. (Asteraceae)
Helianthus tuberosus (Asteraceae) EPPO List of IAP
Heteranthera limosa (Pontederiaceae)
Heteranthera reniformis (Pontederiaceae)
Hydrilla verticillata (Hydrocharitaceae) EPPO Alert List
Ipomoea cairica (Convolvulaceae)
Ipomoea indica (Convolvulaceae)
Ipomoea purpurea (Convolvulaceae)
Kalanchoe x hybrida (Crassulaceae)
Lonicera japonica (Caprifoliaceae)
Nicotiana glauca (Solanaceae)
Oenothera biennis (Onagraceae)
Opuntia spp. (Cactaceae)
Oxalis pes-caprae (Oxalidaceae) EPPO List of IAP
Pelargonium capitatum (Geraniaceae)
Ricinus communis (Euphorbiaceae)
Robinia pseudoacacia (Fabaceae)
Senecio angulatus (Asteraceae)
Solanum bonariense (Solanaceae)
Tradescantia spp. (Commelinaceae)
Yucca aloifolia (Agavaceae)


- For species listed in Annexes 1 or 2, it is prohibited to dispose of untreated waste or propagules into the environment, except for Arundo donax which is traditionally used (e.g. as a wind break).

- The competent authority will draft and implement management measures (for detection, eradication, containment and mitigation) and propose substitution plants for species listed in Annexes 1 and 2. In urgent cases, eradication should be undertaken even if the management program has not been completely finalized, particularly when priority habitats or species are threatened. Owners of land where eradication should take place must allow the access to their property.

- The competent authority shall elaborate a communication to inform the general public about responsible use and disposal of invasive alien species.

- The coordination of actions against invasive alien species will be undertaken between administrative bodies responsible for the environment, trade, management of public land and waters, transports and public areas.

- Infringements to this decree are considered administrative infractions. Offenders will have to pay for the damage they can cause. Trade of the species listed in Annex 1 can be subject to fines ranging from 5 000 to 200 000 Euros.

Sources

Diari oficial de la comunitat Valenciana (2009) Decreto 213/2009 de 20 de noviembre. Num. 6151/24.11.2009. http://diaricomunitatvalenciana.es/portal/portal/2009/11/24/pdf/2009_13396.pdf