Brussels, 29/02/2012 (Agence Europe) - How can invasive species - non-native animal or vegetable species, such as the Asian tiger mosquito, which spreads dengue fever, or Caulerpa seaweed - currently proliferating and causing considerable damage to ecosystems and biodiversity, and to public health, be fought more effectively? The European Commission has a few ideas, but wishes to gather as many points of view as it can on the subject before proposing measures, particularly legislative ones. It therefore launched a public consultation on 29 February among interested parties (individuals, company representatives, consumers, interest groups, NGOs and national authorities), which are invited to respond by 12 April to the reflection areas put to them.
Among the measures envisaged are possible trade restrictions, labelling systems, supervision mechanisms, measures to eradicate invasive species and repair damaged ecosystems. All contributions will feed into the draft proposal to be presented by the Commission over the course of the year.
The stakes are high, as the damage caused by these pests brings with it a considerable pricetag. “Damage caused by invasive species to our natural capital is estimated to cost up to €12 billion every year. The time has come to find an effective policy to counter this growing threat”, said Janez Potocnik, European Commissioner for the Environment, in a press release.
Of 11,000 alien species that have been found in the European environment, 10-15 % have become invasive. Existing measures to prevent them from entering EU territory and spreading are fragmented and not sufficient to substantially lower the risks. The Commission is attempting, therefore, to improve the situation, first of all, through prevention, then early detection and rapid response, and, as a last resort, eradication or management. This is the approach proposed by the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity. The online consultation seeks views on how to tailor this approach to realities on the ground. http://ec/europa/eu/environemnt/consultations/invasive_aliens.htm (AN/transl.fl/rt)