Brussels, 20/03/2014 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 19 March, a step was taken towards better coordinated national action plans which will allow the European Union more effectively to fight invasive alien species, a scourge which costs the European economy at least €12 billion every year.
The committee on the environment of the Parliament, which is chaired by Matthias Groote (S&D, Germany), approved the compromise reached on 5 March by the European Parliament and the Council on the EU on the draft regulation aiming to prevent and manage the introduction and spread within the EU of invasive alien species (see EUROPE 11033). The rapporteur, Pavel Poc (S&D, Czech Republic), welcomed the move. The European Parliament's vote on approving this legislation is scheduled for the plenary session of 14-17 April. (AN)