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Invasive species
Invasive plant and fungi species cost billions in eradication programmes each year and are a direct and increasing threat to the diversity of plant species across Europe.
Many invasive species are spread through trade and garden plants and any attempts to halt their spread must tackle this issue through ban on sale of known invasives, and effective and rapid assessment of new trade species for their invasive threat level. The problem of invasives is a truly European one which does not respect national boundaries, and solutions must include Europe wide early warning systems, effective legislation on trade and targeted information and eradication programmes.
The EU is currently consulting on a Strategy for Invasive Species and the measures that it should contain. Plantlife International and the Planta Europa Network has responded to the European Commission and suggested that a new directive is needed that will take account of the need for an effective early warning system, legally enforced trade bans, as well as communication and eradication programmes. The EU has also funded the DAISIE project which provides a first port of call for information on invasive species and experts across Europe.
The Council of Europe through the Bern Convention developed the first pan-European Strategy for Invasive Alien Species in 2003, and has also coordinated a European Code of Conduct for Horticulture and Invasive Alien Species (2008). For more information click here.