European Commission, Statement, Brussels, 29 September 2014:
Today the EU adopted legislation that will tackle the rapidly growing threat to biodiversity from invasive species. The Regulation is a crucial step towards achieving the EU's 2020 biodiversity targets, while also delivering on a commitment under the Convention on Biological Diversity to establish rules to address the threats posed by these species.
European Environment Commissioner Janez Potočnik said: "This
new Regulation fills a long-recognised gap in EU biodiversity
protection.
It is carefully targeted, focusing on the most serious
threats from invasive species. By working together within the EU to
tackle a problem estimated to cost EUR 12 billion every year, we are
taking a decisive step towards meeting our objective of halting the loss
of biodiversity in the EU by 2020."
The Regulation equips Europe
with an effective system that will prevent the introduction and spread
of species that can cause significant adverse impacts on the
environment, the economy, and human health. The system will be based on a
list of species of Union concern, to be drawn up with the Member States
on the basis of comprehensive risk assessments and robust scientific
evidence. The list will focus on the species that cause the most serious
damage. When considering species for listing, their socio-economic
benefits, and the concerns of established commercial sectors, will be
taken fully into account.
Background
Alien species are plants,
animals, fungi and micro-organisms that have been transported across
ecological barriers such as mountain ranges, or oceans as a result of
human intervention, and have become established in an area outside their
natural range.
About a quarter of these species
are brought into Europe intentionally, but most arrive by accident.
There are currently more than 12 000 alien species in the European
environment. In their new environment, some spread rapidly and become
invasive alien species (IAS), causing significant damage to
biodiversity, human health or the economy. Roughly 10-15 % of alien
species arriving in Europe eventually become invasive.
These species are a major cause
of biodiversity loss, and they can also cause significant damage to
human health and the economy. Examples include the American bullfrog,
allergy-causing ragweed and musk rats that damage infrastructure.
Invasive alien species are
estimated to cost EUR 12 billion annually in health care and animal
health costs, crop yield losses, fish stock losses, damage to
infrastructure, damage to the navigability of rivers, and damage to
protected species.
http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_STATEMENT-14-286_en.htm?locale=en 29/9/14
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