Prevent Introduction and Spread of Invasive Alien Species

Prevent Introduction and Spread of Invasive Alien Species

Description

Invasive Alien Species (IAS) are animals and plants that are introduced accidentally or deliberately into a natural environment  in which they do not normally occur, with serious negative consequences for their new environment. They represent a major threat to native plants and animals in Europe, causing damage worth billions of Euros to the European economy every year. 

Three distinct types of measures are envisaged, which follow an internationally agreed hierarchical approach to combatting IAS:

  • Prevention: measures aimed at preventing IAS from entering a nation, region, and also farms the EU should be respected regionally, nationally and internationally.
  • Early detection and rapid eradication: IAS must be detected in the environment as early as possible, to which all stakeholders and groups of interest should contribute.
  • Management: concerted management action is needed to minimize the harm IAS  cause. Rapid eradication measures to prevent IAS from establishing are to be taken.

Further Reading

Projects

Legal Acts

Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/1454 specifying the technical format for reporting by the Member States

Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/1263 updating the list of invasive alien species of Union concern

Implementing Regulation (EU) 2016/1141 adopting a list of invasive alien species of Union concern

Implementing Regulation (EU) 2016/145 adopting the format of the document serving as evidence for the permit issued by the competent authorities of Member States

Websites

EASIN (European Alien Species Information Network) is a platform developed by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre which enables easy access to data on Alien Species reported in Europe.

The LIFE ASAP - Alien Species Awareness Program project seeks to limit the spread and impact of IAS in Italy through public awareness and participation.