Protecting biodiversity from invasive alien species

SUMMARY OF:

Regulation (EU) No 1143/2014 on the prevention and management of the introduction and spread of invasive alien species

WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE REGULATION?

It sets out rules to prevent, minimise and mitigate the adverse impact on biodiversity and related ecosystem services caused by the introduction and spread of invasive alien species (IAS)* in the European Union (EU). IAS can also have a significant adverse impact on human health and the economy.

KEY POINTS

List of invasive alien species

On 13 July 2016, the European Commission adopted its first ‘list of invasive alien species of Union concern’. It entered into force on 3 August 2016. Three updates of the list entered into force on 2 August 2017, 15 August 2019 and 2 August 2022 respectively. The list, which is developed on the basis of scientific risk assessments, is updated regularly and reviewed at least every 6 years. The most recent list dates from 2022.
Species on this list may not be intentionally brought into the EU’s territory. Nor may they be kept, bred, transported to, from or within the EU, or sold, grown or released into the environment.

Permits

EU Member States may issue permits to allow research, off-site conservation and medicinal use of species on the IAS list. For any other uses, Member States wishing to issue permits first need to seek the Commission’s authorisation.
The IAS in question must be kept and handled in contained holding and transported under conditions that prevent their escape.

National action plans

Within 3 years of the listing of species, Member States have to establish and implement action plans to deal with the main routes of spread of IAS in their territories. This is to prevent the unintentional introduction and spread of listed IAS in their territories.

IAS of regional concern and native IAS

IAS may originate in one EU region and create problems in another EU region. Here, at the request of the Member States involved, the Commission may play a role in ensuring that the affected Member States work together to deal with the problem.

Surveillance systems

Within 18 months of the adoption of the list of IAS, Member States must establish surveillance systems that collect and record data on the occurrence of IAS in the environment.

Official controls

By 2 January 2016, Member States need to have set up fully functioning structures to carry out the official controls necessary to prevent the intentional introduction into the EU of listed IAS. The official controls apply to the categories of goods falling within the combined nomenclature codes, to which a reference is made in the Union list.

Early detection and rapid eradication of newly established IAS

After any new observation (first observation or first observation after eradication) of a listed IAS in a Member State or in part of its territory, it must be rapidly eradicated. Eradication can be achieved by lethal or non-lethal measures.

Management of widely-spread IAS

Within 18 months of the listing of species, Member States need to establish management measures for IAS that have already widely spread in their territory, in order to minimise adverse effects.
These measures may be lethal or non-lethal and should remain proportionate to their impact on the environment and appropriate to the specific circumstances in the Member State.

Restoring damaged ecosystems

Member States should carry out measures to assist in the recovery of an ecosystem that has been degraded, damaged or destroyed by a listed IAS.

Transitional measures

Individuals may keep their pets (‘companion animals’ that are IAS) on the condition that:
- they were acquired before the list was drafted;
- all appropriate measures are put in place to ensure that they cannot reproduce or escape.
In the first year after it was listed, a business or other commercial enterprise may continue selling a species until stock is exhausted. However, in the second year following listing, a species can be sold or transferred only to an establishment holding a permit, or culled humanely. These transactions are allowed on the condition that all appropriate steps are taken to ensure that the species cannot escape or reproduce.

Implementing and delegated acts

Regulation (EU) No 1143/2014 grants the Commission implementing and delegated powers.

Delegated Regulation (EU) 2018/968 supplements Regulation (EU) No 1143/2014 with regard to risk assessments in relation to IAS. It describes in detail the methodology to be applied in the risk assessments, taking into account relevant national and international standards and the need to prioritise action against IAS associated with, or that have the potential to cause, a significant adverse impact on biodiversity or related ecosystem services, or on human health or the economy, such adverse impact being considered as an aggravating factor.
In addition to implementing acts updating the lists of IAS, the Commission has adopted two other implementing acts:
- Implementing Regulation (EU) 2016/145 on the format of the document serving as evidence for the permit issued by the Member States allowing establishments to carry out certain activities concerning listed IAS ;
- Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/1454 specifying the technical formats for reporting by the Member States.

FROM WHEN DOES THE REGULATION APPLY?

It has applied since 1 January 2015.

BACKGROUND

For further information, see:

Invasive alien species (European Commission).

KEY TERMS

Invasive alien species (IAS). Plants or animals that have been transported outside their natural ecological range by humans (whether intentionally or unintentionally) into a new environment. While many of these species do not survive, some do and, due to their invasiveness, cause significant ecological and economic damage.

MAIN DOCUMENT

Regulation (EU) No 1143/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 October 2014 on the prevention and management of the introduction and spread of invasive alien species (OJ L 317, 4.11.2014, pp. 35–55).

Successive amendments to Regulation (EU) No 1143/2014 have been incorporated into the original text. This consolidated version is of documentary value only.