European ECO-Forum Delegation Joint Statement on
Invasive Alien Species

2nd Intergovernmental Conference “Biodiversity in Europe”, Budapest, 25 February 2002

NGOs participating at the Second Intergovernmental Conference "Biodiversity in Europe" welcome the inclusion of this important, but often neglected topic in the intergovernmental discussions. We also agree with the thrust of the paper and the summary of difficulties. However we believe that the actions proposed are insufficient in tackling the major threats highlighted. We urge Governments to address the following:

1. To go beyond talking of a European Regional IAS policy, but to initiate concrete steps at this conference to realise it.

2. Economic issues: Immediate economic considerations can be identified as driving force behind many concerns about IAS and any attempts to address them in the past. But as STRA-CO (2002) 42 sets out, there is far more at stake. Therefore

• ensure all alien species are addressed, whether introduced pests, or the alien invasive species affecting native species and habitats with no immediate commercial loss. 'Worst' and 'Black lists' if drawn up, should be fed by a balanced team of ecologists, not by economic interests.
• indicate what budget is to be allocated within what time scale for fulfilling the action recommendations.

3. The risks of introducing alien species are not considered by society. This lack of awareness and even considerations of responsibilities is perhaps the largest obstacle to effective prevention of alien species transport. Awareness raising should therefore be a key point in planned action from global to local level. Information and awareness raising should particularly address two sectors:

• the decision makers/law enforcement authorties and
• groups which are linked to movement of biota, including cultured species.

4. Not only is there potential for trade and transport regulations to prevent unwanted introductions, (as set out under recommendations for a regional approach P. 10, (STRA-CO (2002) 42) but it is essential that real progress in this regard is made. In this context,

• ship ballast water is not only a Baltic Sea specific action plan matter, (as now proposed in last para P.10, STRA-CO (2002) 42), but a global concern, requiring global action.
• we agree with the proposals on active involvement of authorities and co-operation of bodies, but we are concerned that a reliance on CITES as presently proposed, could overburdening one set of officers who may see this as an extra and/or legally ill-defined area to be addressing. As it stands, CITES is not the appropriate vehicle for controlling alien species. We call on governments to set up a framework of law for control of transport of alien species.
• there needs to be adequate training for those who will be responsible for enforcement. Here lessons learnt from CITES could be coupled with experience of control measures such as in the recent foot and mouth control campaign.

5. One visible way of introducing alien species is by scientific and applied programs in botanical research, biological pest control, forestry and fishery, as well as ad hoc pet-keepers. Here too, control should be greatly improved. An independent Agency, or Unit is needed to provide this control.

6. Climate change is likely to cause some introduced organisms to start colonising areas where previously their presence was short lived, or at least reproduction unsuccessful. - e.g. Pacific oyster cultivation in Northern Europe was considered 'safe' as water temperature was below that needed for oyster spawning and spat survival. With increased water temperature, this assumption needs to be reappraise, both by researchers and decision makers/monitoring and licensing authorities.

7. GMOs should be treated as IAS for precautionary reasons. GMOs are exotics in terms of their modified genetic pool and consequent different behaviour, with real potential to outcompete natural forms. (Link to research proposals in the paper).

8. Finally a comment on the NGO position as noted in the discussion paper: Far from wanting to be 'called in' when governments decide on monitoring, we expect to be partners in addressing the serious and growing threats of IAS'.

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