News item | 14-07-2022 | 17:14
The European list of invasive exotics of concern is being expanded to include 22 plant and animal species. Invasive exotics are plants and animals that do not originally occur in the European Union, but which humans have consciously or unconsciously brought to Europe. Because their natural enemies are absent here, there is a good chance that these species will settle here, proliferate and cause damage to European nature. They can also have adverse effects on human health, safety or the economy. Examples of these – which are already on the European Union list – are the Red American crayfish and the Greater Pennywort.
The 22 new invasive exotics will be added to the European Union list on August 2, 2022. There is a transition period of one year (after the entry into force of the ban). It concerns 22 species, see the Union list of Invasive Exotics on nvwa.nl†
Invasive exotics can be harmful in many ways. Due to their rapid spreading, they can displace native species or disrupt their natural habitat. It is therefore important to prevent the introduction and spread of invasive exotics.
Since August 3, 2016 there is a European Exotics Regulation that prohibits the possession, trade, reproduction, breeding, transport and import of a number of harmful exotic plants and animals. These harmful species are on the Union list of invasive exotics† With this ban, the European Union wants to protect European biodiversity and ecosystems.
People who already owned an animal on the Union list before the species was banned may keep the animal until it dies of natural causes. In any case, they may not sell, release or release the animal into the wild. The animal is also not allowed to reproduce or escape. If people can no longer take care of their animal, they may give the animal away to another person.
A special transition period has been agreed for a number of species. For the species Pistia stratiotes (water lettuce), Fundulus heteroclitus (a fish) and Xenopus laevis (African Clawed Frog) the rules of the Exotics Regulation enter into force two years after the extension of the Union list. For the species Celastrus orbiculatus (tree strangler) the rules come into effect five years after the extension.
For more information about the Union list and the rules, see the Union list of Invasive Exotics on nvwa.nl and Invasive exotics on rvo.nl†