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Non-native species threat to be tackled

Eucalyptus Leaf Beetle. Image courtesy of CSL.England, Scotland and Wales today launched the first coordinated plan to reduce the threat to Britain’s native biodiversity from invasive non-native species.

Invasive non-native species such as Floating Pennywort and the North American Signal Crayfish can have a serious impact on our native wildlife and economic interests. Controlling their spread is key to conserving our native wildlife.

Key measures in the strategy include:

  • developing ways to educate people on the risks from invasive non-native species, and how to help avoid introducing these species
  • developing a web-based shared central directory that will show the types of invasive species in specific areas, and how they have spread
  • developing expertise for early identification of potential problem species that may already be here or on their way, and the best ways to handle them
  • developing a clear framework for rapid responses when invasive species are detected for the first time in Britain

Launching the strategy at the London Wetland Centre today, Defra Minister Jeff Rooker said:

“The introduction of species over thousands of years has shaped British wildlife and the countryside that we love. But non-native species that are invasive can have a serious impact on native wildlife and are estimated to cost the British economy at least £2billion a year. And with climate change the threat becomes greater.

“For the first time we now have a coordinated plan to tackle this. I hope the same spirit and commitment our partners such as the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust have shown will help us to successfully implement it.”

Further information

Page published: 28 May 2008