EU blacklist to stop spread of alien species

CLAIRE MARSHALLTHE European Parliament is voting on a bill to draw up a blacklist to fight invasive alien species such as killer shrimp and Japanese knotweed spreading.

There will be a ban on the possession, transport, selling or growing of species deemed as of “Union Concern”.

The list was going to be restricted to 50, but will now have no limit. It is not clear which species will be banned.

A deal between EU member states effectively means the bill will pass and become law within a few months.

This comes as MPs slam current government policy on controlling alien species as “not fit for purpose”.

The economic and ecological damage caused by non-native species such as the so-called killer shrimp and demon shrimp originally from the Black Sea, the Asian Harlequin ladybird or Japanese knotweed are estimated to cost Europe some 12bn euros every year.

In the UK the bill is at least £1,7bn.

Experts say such insects, plants and animals are one of the major causes of biodiversity loss and species extinction.

They can also spread disease and cause health problems such as asthma, dermatitis and allergies.

The new law will require member states to analyse how troublesome species enter the country and to improve surveillance systems.

Official checks at EU borders will be stepped up. Action plans on how to manage established invasive species also have to be developed.

MEP Pavel Poc, who is guiding the legislation through the European Parliament, said: “Efforts are very often not effective simply because those species do not respect geographical boundaries. Co-operation between member states is therefore crucial.”

Garden plants

Wednesday’s report from the Environmental Audit Committee welcomes the strengthening of the rules.

Committee chairwoman Joan Walley MP told the BBC: “The UK has to be ready to take on board the step changes that there will be as a result of the European decision.

“People are travelling more, and international trade means there are all kinds of opportunities which there previously weren’t for non-native species to come in to the UK.

–BBC environment