Work
24.October 2005 - 00:00
Controlling aggressive alien species
The United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity stipulates that it is important to control aggressive alien species. They are one of the greatest biological threats both to our environment and to our economic prosperity.
Alien species may reach a new environment for example in the bilge-water of vessels or as a result of other transport operations.
Although much has been done in the field of protection in the EU, the work which has been done would go to waste if such aliens, for example animals or pests, were to enter and disrupt ecosystems in our region. Forests in particular, as well as the waters of the Baltic and Mediterranean and inland waters, are vital ecosystems in the EU: there is a genuine threat to them, which in the worst case could cause substantial ecological and economic damage.
Has the Commission devoted any attention to this cross-border problem, which has links with trade, transport and the environment? What kind of measures could be adopted to control this threat in future?
Answer given by Mr Dimas on behalf of the Commission
Action on invasive alien species (IAS) is identified as a priority in the sixth environment action programme (2001 10).
The European Community biodiversity strategy(1) identifies IAS as an emerging issue of environmental importance, and various aspects of IAS control are addressed in the biodiversity action plans(2) (BAPs). For instance, in the BAP on natural resources, one of the proposed actions was to develop international guidelines to address the problem of IAS under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). Indeed, the European Community was a key player during the negotiations that led to the adoption of such guiding principles(3). To take another example, in the BAP on fisheries, adherence to the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) code of practice on the introduction and transfer of marine organisms was advocated. This proposed action is reflected in the proposal for a regulation on the use of alien species in aquaculture that the Commission is finalising.
The cross-cutting issue of IAS is addressed at EC level through a range of legal instruments. Those that apply to preventing the unwanted introduction into the Community of pathogens and organisms harmful to plants or plant products, terrestrial and aquatic animals are harmonised with international phytosanitary, zoosanitary and trade rules. In the case of species that may threaten the wild fauna and flora, these instruments are supplemented by the Wildlife Trade legislation (Council Regulation (EC) No 338/97(4), as last amended by Commission Regulation (EC) No 834/2004(5)), the Wild Birds Directive (79/409/EEC(6)) and the Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC(7)).
There are a number of studies, thematic reports and Community programmes (LIFE, research projects and collaborative partnerships under the sixth framework programme(8)) and activities by the European Environment Agency(9) which strengthen the knowledge base and provide background material pertinent to IAS. Based on this information, the Commission is studying various options for Community action, especially in light of the guiding principles on invasive alien species of the Convention on Biological Diversity and the European strategy on IAS adopted by the Bern Convention(10). A communication on biodiversity is currently being prepared by the Commission, which will also address the issue of IAS.
The Commission draws the attention of the Honourable Member to its answer to Mrs Doyle’s Written Question P 1736/04, in which a number of ongoing research projects and Community actions were listed.
(1)
COM(98)42 final.
(2)
COM(2001)162 final, Volumes II-IV.
(3)
Decision VI/23 on alien species that threaten ecosystems, habitats and species, to which are annexed the guiding principles for the prevention, introduction and mitigation of impacts of alien species that threaten ecosystems, habitats or species.
(4)
Council Regulation (EC) No 338/97 of 9 December 1996 on the protection of species of wild fauna and flora by regulating trade therein, OJ L 61, 3.3.1997.
(5)
OJ L 127, 29.4.2004.
(6)
Council Directive 79/409/EEC of 2 April 1979 on the conservation of wild birds, OJ L 103, 25.4.1979.
(7)
Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora, OJ L 206, 22.7.1992.
(8)
ALARM (assessing large-scale environmental risks for biodiversity with tested methods); DAISIE (delivering alien invasive species inventories for Europe).
(9)
Project ‘Streamlining European 2010 biodiversity indicators’ (SEBI2010).
(10)
Recommendation No 99 on the European strategy on invasive alien species, adopted at the 23rd meeting of the Standing Committee of the Bern Convention in 2003 (Doc T PVS(2003) 7).
The United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity stipulates that it is important to control aggressive alien species. They are one of the greatest biological threats both to our environment and to our economic prosperity.
Alien species may reach a new environment for example in the bilge-water of vessels or as a result of other transport operations.
Although much has been done in the field of protection in the EU, the work which has been done would go to waste if such aliens, for example animals or pests, were to enter and disrupt ecosystems in our region. Forests in particular, as well as the waters of the Baltic and Mediterranean and inland waters, are vital ecosystems in the EU: there is a genuine threat to them, which in the worst case could cause substantial ecological and economic damage.
Has the Commission devoted any attention to this cross-border problem, which has links with trade, transport and the environment? What kind of measures could be adopted to control this threat in future?
Answer given by Mr Dimas on behalf of the Commission
Action on invasive alien species (IAS) is identified as a priority in the sixth environment action programme (2001 10).
The European Community biodiversity strategy(1) identifies IAS as an emerging issue of environmental importance, and various aspects of IAS control are addressed in the biodiversity action plans(2) (BAPs). For instance, in the BAP on natural resources, one of the proposed actions was to develop international guidelines to address the problem of IAS under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). Indeed, the European Community was a key player during the negotiations that led to the adoption of such guiding principles(3). To take another example, in the BAP on fisheries, adherence to the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) code of practice on the introduction and transfer of marine organisms was advocated. This proposed action is reflected in the proposal for a regulation on the use of alien species in aquaculture that the Commission is finalising.
The cross-cutting issue of IAS is addressed at EC level through a range of legal instruments. Those that apply to preventing the unwanted introduction into the Community of pathogens and organisms harmful to plants or plant products, terrestrial and aquatic animals are harmonised with international phytosanitary, zoosanitary and trade rules. In the case of species that may threaten the wild fauna and flora, these instruments are supplemented by the Wildlife Trade legislation (Council Regulation (EC) No 338/97(4), as last amended by Commission Regulation (EC) No 834/2004(5)), the Wild Birds Directive (79/409/EEC(6)) and the Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC(7)).
There are a number of studies, thematic reports and Community programmes (LIFE, research projects and collaborative partnerships under the sixth framework programme(8)) and activities by the European Environment Agency(9) which strengthen the knowledge base and provide background material pertinent to IAS. Based on this information, the Commission is studying various options for Community action, especially in light of the guiding principles on invasive alien species of the Convention on Biological Diversity and the European strategy on IAS adopted by the Bern Convention(10). A communication on biodiversity is currently being prepared by the Commission, which will also address the issue of IAS.
The Commission draws the attention of the Honourable Member to its answer to Mrs Doyle’s Written Question P 1736/04, in which a number of ongoing research projects and Community actions were listed.
(1)
COM(98)42 final.
(2)
COM(2001)162 final, Volumes II-IV.
(3)
Decision VI/23 on alien species that threaten ecosystems, habitats and species, to which are annexed the guiding principles for the prevention, introduction and mitigation of impacts of alien species that threaten ecosystems, habitats or species.
(4)
Council Regulation (EC) No 338/97 of 9 December 1996 on the protection of species of wild fauna and flora by regulating trade therein, OJ L 61, 3.3.1997.
(5)
OJ L 127, 29.4.2004.
(6)
Council Directive 79/409/EEC of 2 April 1979 on the conservation of wild birds, OJ L 103, 25.4.1979.
(7)
Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora, OJ L 206, 22.7.1992.
(8)
ALARM (assessing large-scale environmental risks for biodiversity with tested methods); DAISIE (delivering alien invasive species inventories for Europe).
(9)
Project ‘Streamlining European 2010 biodiversity indicators’ (SEBI2010).
(10)
Recommendation No 99 on the European strategy on invasive alien species, adopted at the 23rd meeting of the Standing Committee of the Bern Convention in 2003 (Doc T PVS(2003) 7).