10 October 2014: Delegates at the twelfth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP 12) adopted international guidance on the introduction of invasive alien species (IAS) as pets, aquarium and terrarium species and as live bait and live food. The guidelines will support the achievement of Aichi Biodiversity Target 9, which aims to identify, control, eradicate and prevent IAS and put in place measures to manage IAS pathways.

IAS pose a major threat to biodiversity, according to the fourth edition of the Global Biodiversity Outlook (GBO 4), which was released at COP 12. The report notes that growing international trade has accelerated the introduction of IAS trends.

Pets, aquarium and terrarium species, represent a significant percentage of global invasive introductions, as they escape or are released from confined conditions to the natural environment and become IAS, according to the CBD.

“Safe trade of live animals and plants and responsible conduct protects unique biodiversity in the varied biogeographic regions of the world while facilitating an international market,” explained Braulio Ferreira de Souza Dias, CBD Executive Secretary. He said the guidelines will help to prevent and control the risks that non-native live animals, plants, pathogens and parasites pose to biodiversity and contribute to global sustainable development.

The guidelines provide elements that authorities can use to develop codes of conduct or regulations to address IAS. They apply to the transport or import of species to a country or biogeographical area within a country, including via Internet trade. The guidance is relevant to all actors along the value chain, including breeders, customers, importers, restaurants, retailers and wholesalers. [CBD Press Release] [IAS Guidance] [IISD RS coverage of CBD COP 12]