BirdLife and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) co-hosted an event in the European Parliament in Brussels on 21 February 2013 on the threat posed by invasive alien species.
The event was hosted by Member of the European Parliament Poc, Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists & Democrats.
22 February 2013: BirdLife and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) co-hosted an event in the European Parliament in Brussels on 21 February 2013 on the threat posed by invasive alien species (IAS). The event was hosted by Member of the European Parliament Poc, Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats.
This event was organized in anticipation of the EU legislative proposal on invasive alien species. European Commissioner for the Environment, Janez Potočnik and Piero Genovesi, Chair of IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) Specialist Group on Invasive Alien Species, highlighted the role of globalization in the increase and spread of invasive alien species.
Ladislav Miko, Directorate General for Health and Consumers of the European Commission, called for guiding principles to solve the problem, which is incurring great economic and health costs. Participants also discussed the need for coordinated action to limit the reproduction of invasive species in target areas, and to reflect this in the EU legislation. Pia Bucella, Directorate General for the Environment of the European Commission, who is leading the formulation of the EU instrument, urged focus on prevention rather than reaction, calling for bans on particular species.
IUCN Director General Julia Marton-Lefèvre closed the meeting by highlighting the importance of public outreach, so that people can help detect invasions. [IUCN Press Release] [IUCN DG Speech] [IUCN Powerpoint Presentation]