New regulations on invasive alien plants in Switzerland
A new Swiss regulation (ordinance) on the release of exotic organisms in the environment was published on the 1st October 2008. This ordinance contains a list of exotic plants that should not be used directly in the environment (meaning that the use, treatment, multiplication, modification, transport, circulation, etc. is prohibited) and excavated material contaminated with these species should remain on the land it originates from.
The species registered to this list are the following:
Ambrosia artemisiifolia (Asteraceae, EPPO List of Invasive Alien Plants), Crassula helmsii (Crassulaceae, EPPO A2 List), Elodea nuttalli (Hydrocharitaceae, EPPO List of IAP), Heracleum mantegazzianum (Apiaceae, EPPO List of IAP), Hydrocotyle ranunculoides (Apiaceae, EPPO A2 List), Impatiens glandulifera (Balsaminaceae, EPPO List of IAP), Ludwigia peploides and Ludwigia uruguayensis (Onagraceae, EPPO List of IAP), Reynoutria spp. (Polygonaceae), including Polygonum polystachyum, Reynoutria japonica (EPPO List of IAP), R. sachalinensis (EPPO List of IAP), Reynoutria x bohemica (EPPO List of IAP), Rhus typhina (Anacardiaceae), Senecio inaequidens (Asteraceae, EPPO List of IAP), Solidago spp. (Asteraceae), including S. canadensis (EPPO List of IAP), S. gigantea (EPPO List of IAP), S. nemoralis (EPPO Alert List) and their hybrids.
These species are also subject to a monitoring which is carried out according to the existing procedures within the fields of environment and agriculture. Management actions should also be implemented against these organisms.
Sources
814.911 Ordonnance du 10 septembre 2008 sur l'utilisation d'organismes dans l'environnement (Ordonnance sur la dissémination dans l'environnement, ODE). http://www.admin.ch/ch/f/gg/cr/2006/20062651.html