This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Halting the invasion of alien species
28/02/2007
A new way of dealing with the threat to Scotland's native wildlife was published today for consultation.
The draft Invasive Non-native Species Framework Strategy for Great Britain will minimise the threat from invasive non-native species.
Invasive non-native species are the second biggest threat, after habitat destruction, to native species and habitats worldwide and the greatest threat to fragile ecosystems such as islands. They can also have a substantial economic impact across a wide range of sectors such as fisheries, forestry and development.
The Strategy provides a framework focussing on prevention, early detection, and mitigation measures where appropriate. The Strategy will be followed by a separate implementation plan that will be developed with a wide range of partners.
Deputy Environment Minister Sarah Boyack said:
"Invasive non-native species are a threat to Scotland's biodiversity and can damage our economic interests with far reaching impacts on sectors such as fishing and farming.
"In Scotland, our natural resources are currently under threat from invasive non-native species such as American signal crayfish, Rhododendron ponticum and grey squirrels. This Strategy will help to prevent future invasive non-native species becoming established in Scotland and threatening our valued native species and habitats."
The consultation closes on 23 May 2007.
The GB Invasive Non-native Species Framework Strategy was commissioned by the GB Non-native Species Programme Board. It was developed by a sub-group including representatives from the three GB Administrations (Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department, Defra, and the Welsh Assembly Government), statutory conservation and environmental protection agencies (Scottish Natural Heritage, Natural England, Countryside Council for Wales, Environment Agency), environmental NGOs (Scottish Environment Link, and Wildlife and Countryside Link) and representatives from trade and industry organisations (Horticultural Trade Association, Pet Care Trust, Ornamental and Aquatic Trade Association, and Network Rail).
The Strategy covers Great Britain only. Invasive non-native species are best addressed within natural geographical and ecological boundaries and efforts to tackle them therefore require cross-border co-ordination. Work is being taken forward separately on an all-Ireland basis.
A report in 2000 by Scottish Natural Heritage found approximately 1,000 non-native species in Scotland of which 824 were plants. Most non-native species are not invasive; in fact we benefit from non-native species in many ways: a large number are used in agriculture, horticulture, and many pets are also non-native. On the other hand, species such as Japanese knotweed cost developers millions of pounds every year to eradicate and dispose of.