EU adopts innovative legislation on invasive species: a step towards a global response to biological invasions?

摘要

Europe has adopted innovative legislation\udon invasive species that could signal a step-change in\udthe global response to biological invasion threats. The\uddiscussion that took place within EU institutions—EU\udParliament, European Commission, and the Member\udStates—permitted significant improvement on the\udinitial proposal presented by the European Commission,\udincluding removing the initial 50 species cap,\udexplicitly allowing national authorities to take stringent\udmeasures on invasive species of national concern,\udand encouraging coordinated approaches to invasive\udspecies in boundary areas. An independent ‘‘Scientific\udForum’’ to inform implementation has been introduced,\udand the EU Regulation will permit only limited licensing for specific activities using invasive alien\udspecies. However, the real strength of the legislation\udwill largely depend on the decisions of a committee of\udrepresentatives of the Member States, with the risk\udthat the real enforcement will be limited by political\udand economic, rather than scientific, considerations. In\udthis regard it will be crucial to set up a framework of\udroles and responsibilities among the different bodies\udthat ensure transparent and objective decision processes.\udAlso, it will be essential that adequate\udresources be secured for implementing the provisions\udof the legislation. Finally, the regulatory approach\udintroduced by the Regulation will have only a limited\udimpact unless European citizens raise their awareness\udof this threat and adopt more responsible behaviours