Brussels, 13/07/2016 (Agence Europe) - The first EU list of invasive alien species, the spread of which is to be contained through stronger cooperation among the member states, was adopted by the European Commission on Wednesday 13 July.
For the moment, the list contains 37 priority species representing a growing threat or causing widespread damage, but it will be regularly updated.
It was adopted under EU Regulation 1143/2014, which came into force on 1 January 2015 with the aim of allowing the EU to tackle in a comprehensive and better coordinated manner this threat that has major consequences not only for biodiversity and public health but also for the European economy, costing as it does over €12 billion per year (EUROPE 11165). The regulation seeks to prevent and to manage the introduction and spread of invasive alien species in the EU by means of coordinated action plans.
“Some species of plants and animals can damage property, crops and livelihoods so they need to be kept out if possible and under control if not”, said European Environment Commissioner Karmenu Vella in a press release. He said, too, that work has already started to update this first list.
The restrictions imposed by the regulation, including restrictions on the use, import, sale, feeding and rearing of these species, will come into effect 20 days after publication of the EU list in the Official Journal of the EU. The list, provided for in the EU 2020 biodiversity strategy, was built following consultations with member states and stakeholders across the EU. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)