The underpinning risk assessments are available on CIRCABC:

https://circabc.europa.eu/w/browse/1dd916e3-e138-43c1-8a88-44a03100a9da

Some of the core provisions of EU Regulation 1143/2014 which deal with, among other things, bringing into the territory of the Union, keeping, breeding, transporting and placing on the market, species included on the list of invasive alien species of Union concern ( the “Union list” ) come into force on the 3^rd August, 2016.

The first “Union list” of 37 species consisting of 23 animals and 14 plants came into force, following the publication of the Commission Implementing Regulation (2016/1141), in the Official Journal of the Union on the 14 July, 2016.

(Since 2016), legislation is being prepared in Ireland to deal with issues, such as penalties for breaches of the Regulation, which are a matter for each Member State

Enquiries on the Regulation should be sent to biodiversitypolicy@ahg.gov.ie

The ‘Union list’ comprises species whose potential adverse impacts across the European Union are such that concerted action across Member States is required:

PLANTS
American skunk cabbage Lysichiton americanus
Asiatic tearthumb Persicaria perfoliata (Polygonum perfoliatum)
Curly waterweed Lagarosiphon major
Eastern Baccharis Baccharis halimifolia
Floating pennywort Hydrocotyle ranunculoides
Floating primrose willow Ludwigia peploides
Green cabomba Cabomba caroliniana
Kudzu vine Pueraria lobata
Parrot’s feather Myriophyllum aquaticum
Persian hogweed Heracleum persicum
Sosnowski’s hogweed Heracleum sosnowskyi
Water hyacinth Eichhornia crassipes
Water primrose Ludwigia grandiflora
Whitetop weed Parthenium hysterophorus

ANIMALS
Amur sleeper Perccottus glenii
Asian hornet Vespa velutina
Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis
Coypu Myocastor coypus
Fox squirrel Sciurus niger
Grey squirrel Sciurus carolinensis
Indian house crow Corvus splendens
Marbled crayfish Procambarus spp.
Muntjac deer Muntiacus reevesii
North american bullfrog Lithobates (Rana) catesbeianus
Pallas’s squirrel Callosciurus erythraeus
Raccoon Procyon lotor
Red swamp crayfish Procambarus clarkii
Red-eared terrapin/slider Trachemys scripta elegans
Ruddy duck Oxyura jamaicensis
Sacred ibis Threskiornis aethiopicus
Siberian chipmunk Tamias sibiricus
Signal crayfish Pacifastacus leniusculus
Small Asian mongoose Herpestes javanicus
South American coati Nasua nasua
Spiny-cheek crayfish Orconectes limosus
Topmouth gudgeon Pseudorasbora parva
Virile crayfish Orconectes virilis

FAQs

Note:

NPWS are to finalise legislation for the implementation of the EU IAS Regulation
NPWS are to prepare draft management plans and priority pathway action plans for priority invasive species.

Invasive Alien Species (IAS) provide a threat globally to the environment, to native biodiversity, biosecurity, the economy, animal, plant and human health. Recognising these threats, the Water Forum commissioned a scoping study to provide strategic guidance on the management of Invasive Alien Species (IAS) in Ireland.

The research aimed to provide insight into how IAS establishment and spread might be restricted and what actions are required to improve the management of established IAS.

The research states that many of the most problematic IAS have been introduced to Ireland in the past 20 years and that a significant number of high impact IAS are predicted to arrive in Ireland in the next 10 years resulting in devastating environmental consequences.

The authors highlight the changes in governance and policy that are needed to improve IAS management
on the island of Ireland and to significantly reduce future invasions and potential economic costs.

The Water Forum recently commissioned a scoping study to provide strategic guidance on the management of Invasive Alien Species (IAS) in Ireland. The research aimed to provide insight into how IAS establishment and spread might be restricted  and what actions are required to improve the management of established IAS.

The report recommends changes in governance and policy, that has the potential to radically improve IAS management on the island of Ireland and to significantly reduce the forecasted economic costs of treating established IAS on the island.

The report states that many of the most problematic IAS have been introduced to Ireland in the past 20 years and that a significant number of high impact IAS are predicted to arrive in Ireland in the next 10 years resulting in devastating environmental consequences.

Recommendations highlights the need for national IAS legislation coming into force in 2021, which must be implemented, enforced and resourced, preferably by one responsible agency. A key challenge to IAS management is fragmented and uncoordinated action. The research recommends the establishment of a single lead division with overall responsibility for IAS management who would oversee an All-island Strategy for IAS Management and a National Biosecurity Programme.

There is also a need to develop education and awareness programmes with key messages relating to IAS management and the implementation of good biosecurity practice. A range of training courses dedicated to specific stakeholders (Gov. agencies, garden centres, pet shops, retailers) should be delivered.

The full report is available here

The policy recommendations are here