Defra, along with the devolved administrations of Great Britain (the Welsh Assembly and Scottish Executive), is today launching a consultation to help tackle invasive non-native species.

Invasive non-native species pose a very serious threat to our native plants and animals throughout Great Britain, and have been identified as the second biggest threat to biodiversity worldwide.

Barry Gardiner, Minister for Biodiversity, said: "Invasive non-native species not only have a detrimental effect on our native wildlife and habitats, but also our economy: agriculture, forestry and fisheries all suffer from their impacts. In fact it's estimated that invasive non-native species cost the British economy approximately #2billion per year.

"Once these species become established complete eradication is often impractical and unaffordable, leaving long-term control as the only alternative. Early intervention is essential, as was demonstrated by recent work that has successfully stemmed the spread of Ludwigia - an invasive non-native weed that blocks waterways. This has potentially saved millions of pounds in the long term.

"It's vital that we are able to deal with the range of invasive non-native species that have been introduced to our shores, as well as guarding against future introductions.

"Our three Administrations and a host of government agencies and non-government organisations have come together to develop this draft strategy for Great Britain. It offers a co-ordinated and considered approach to coping with these "alien" species."

The Invasive Non-Native Species Framework Strategy proposes a way in which stakeholders can work together to guard against invasive non-native species through:

• Prevention: to reduce the risk of invasive non-native species being introduced;
• Early detection, surveillance and monitoring: ensuring effective mechanisms are developed so that invasive threats can be responded to quickly;
• Control and eradication: finding the best solution and identifying the right approach in the case of each species;
• Raising awareness: ensuring that the public is aware of invasive non-native issues;
• Legislative framework: ensuring that current and any future legislation can adequately guard against the negative impacts;
• Research: ensuring that there is up to date information on the threats posed by these species, and the best methods to tackle them.

The consultation will run until 23rd May 2007. A copy of the consultation can be found at:

BACKGROUND

1. A recent study carried out in England has shown that there are 2,721 non-native species in England, of which 1,798 (66%) are plants.

2. Complete eradication is often too expensive and impractical. For example it has been estimated that it would cost #1.56billion to eradicate Japanese Knotweed (an invasive non-native weed) alone.

4. The main piece of legislation covering non-native species is in the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) which prohibits the release of all non-native animals and listed plant species into the wild. There are other useful measures introduced by the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 and the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004. A range of other legislation (e.g. the Destructive Imported Animals Act 1932, the Zoo Licensing Act 1981, the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976, and the Plant Health Act 1967 etc.) covers specific non-native species in certain circumstances.

Work to control invasive non-native species is carried out by the following agencies:

For information and cases on issues in Scotland and Wales: