Non-native Species
Recommendation (cc). There appears to be a worrying lack of coherence in efforts to deal with invasive, non-native species. We recommend that English Nature be given overall responsibility for dealing with this problem. Specifically, English Nature should monitor and assess particular problems relating to introduced species, and recommend action where required. The Government must be ready to provide any legislative support required.
The Government agrees that current procedures, both statutory and non-statutory, are uncoordinated and outdated in their approach to dealing with the issues caused by the spread of non-native species.
This issue needs to be addressed by involving Government, industry and conservation bodies, who need to consider the causes of, and problems arising from, the introduction and spread of non-native species. For this reason the Government announced, during the passage of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act, that it will be beginning a review of its policies concerning non-native species early in 2001. This undertaking was reinforced in the Government’s Rural White Paper which identified the need to carry out a fundamental review of the policy on alien and invasive species.
The Government believes that the review should be carried out on a Great Britain basis, and has sought the participation of the devolved administrations. English Nature, which has responsibility for England only, would not be the appropriate body to co-ordinate GB-wide advice. The review will: -
Evaluate the effectiveness of current statutory or non-statutory procedures for dealing with the introduction and establishment of non-native species and identify the main vectors for the introduction and spread of non-native species.
Put forward practical and proportionate costed proposals for improving measures to limit the impact of non-native species and recommend measures to limit the impact of the introduction of native species beyond their natural range. These could include proposals for statutory or non-statutory measures in areas of research and monitoring, trade, and control of non-native species.
Identify appropriate organisations to take forward any measures recommended.
Published 21 May 2001
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