Consultation: further protection for UK wildlife from non-native species
Defra and the Welsh Assembly Government have today launched a joint consultation to strengthen protection given to the UK’s native wildlife.
Non-native species that become invasive are considered the second greatest threat to wildlife worldwide after habitat destruction. Their impacts can be far reaching – they have adverse impacts on native wildlife by predation, competition and spread of disease. They can threaten economic interests such as agriculture, forestry, fisheries and development. Controlling the release of invasive non-native species into the wild is a key element of conserving our native wildlife.
The consultation contains proposals for updating the list of non-native birds, fish, animals and plants under schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Many of these species are already established in the wild, but further releases are allowed only under licence.
A total of 74 species are proposed for addition while seven animal species are proposed for removal. The consultation also looks at banning the sale of certain invasive non-native species under section 14ZA of the Act. These species, including the American Bullfrog and a number of crayfish species, are considered to be strongly invasive and there is a real risk of escape and spread into the wild as a result of their presence and availability through trade.
Minister for Climate Change and Biodiversity, Joan Ruddock said:
“Invasive non-native species pose a very serious threat to our native plants, animals and the local environments they live in, costing the British economy around £2 billion per year. The threat is greater than ever with climate change. It is vital that we do all we can to prevent these species from establishing in the wild.
“The power to ban the sale of invasive non-native species has not been used before. Many involved in trading non-native species have already taken the positive decision to stop selling those that are potentially invasive, and actively promote good practice in their industry and amongst their customers. The ban on sale is another tool to be used in a measured way to target a limited number of species which are especially invasive.”
Further information
Page published: 8 November 2007