Invasive Non-Native Species Framework Strategy for Great Britain Launched : May 2008
Plantlife welcomes the launch of The Invasive Non-Native Species Framework Strategy for Great Britain, as a step forward in tackling the threats posed by non-native species to our biodiversity. Invasive species are having an increasing effect on native plants and habitats and dealing with the problems they cause costs Britain more and more each year. The challenge of climate change adds to the urgency with which we must now address this situation. Plantlife works to increase native plant population resilience, in the face of continuing habitat fragmentation. We welcome the government’s commitment, through this strategy, to build awareness and to coordinate action. We look forward to the production of its implementation plan but remain concerned at the insufficient levels of resources that are available to address these issues and wider biodiversity conservation needs.
For more information on Plantlife's work on invasive
species click here.
To download the Framework Strategy, click here
There are a number of areas where Plantlife would like to see more progress:
The strategy does not identify specific actions that government, NGOs, business and the general public can take to minimise their contribution to the issue.
The strategy is incomplete, as it doesn’t cover the 14 UK Overseas Territories. These territories are relatively small, but of huge significance for wildlife.
The strategy acknowledges that climate change and increasing globalisation are likely to increase the problems with non-native species, but the strategy does not commit any additional resources to the issue, or identify which agencies are responsible for key areas of action.
The strategy highlights the need to remain vigilant to the establishment of non-native species, but it does not make clear how workers in key industries, such as shipping and horticulture, will be trained to spot potentially troublesome species entering the country or escaping into the wild.
The government must show commitment to lead by example in key sectors, such as: the management of state-owned land; horticulture; fisheries; licensing; communications.
For marine habitats and species - with the lack of knowledge on the exact impacts of known and future non-native invasive species, monitoring and research is required, alongside action to identify key habitats and areas, using marine protected area mechanisms.
