Euro-Site-Manager | Insight Brussels

Period of consultation: from 27.01.2012 to 12.04.2012

Objective of the consultation

Invasive alien species (IAS) are species whose introduction and/or spread, outside their natural past or present distribution, threatens biological diversity. They may cause serious damage not only to ecosystems but also to crops and livestock, disrupting the local ecology, impacting on human health and producing serious economic effects.

While some EU instruments are dealing with the other major causes of biodiversity loss - namely habitat change, climate change, overexploitation and pollution – there is currently no comprehensive instrument at EU level to tackle invasive alien species. Responding to this gap, the Commission adopted a Communication by the Commission: "Towards an EU Strategy on Invasive Species (2008)".

In 2011, the EU biodiversity strategy to 2020 was launched, including the target: "by 2020, Invasive Alien Species (IAS) and their pathways are identified and prioritised, priority species are controlled or eradicated, and pathways are managed to prevent the introduction and establishment of new IAS" and an action aiming at filling policy gaps in combating IAS by developing a dedicated legislative instrument by 2012: COM(2011) 244

The Commission is preparing a dedicated legislative instrument on Invasive Alien Species. In preparation of this instrument the Commission is now seeking views on the more specific choices to be made when establishing this instrument.

Please submit your contribution via the European Commission website: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/consultations/invasive_aliens.htm

*** WE KINDLY ASK MEMBERS TO COPY US IN ON THEIR REPLIES OR TO SEND US A SUMMARY OF COMMENTS ***