Non-Native Species Legislation. S.I. 477

A link to European Communities (Birds and Natural Habits) Regulation 2011. Statutory Instrument 477.

www.irishstatutebook.ie/pdf/2011/en.si.2011.0477.pdf

Non-native species that are subject to restriction of regulation 49 and 50 of S.I. 477 (the linked document) are covered in the Third Schedule.

Many of the plants are aquatic plants, and there are a few fish in the animal section.

There has been some extensive discussion on this codification on Wednesday 2nd and Thursday 3rd May.
On Thursday 3rd May, a special public workshop on this was open for discussion on a public forum held at the National Botanic Gardens.

Ian

Just a quick question Ian, what are blow-ins classified as? and, as they came /come here under their own power, are they invasive and persued as such or are they left to carry on regardless? As with Magpies.

Kev.

stretnik wrote:

Just a quick question Ian, what are blow-ins classified as? and, as they came /come here under their own power, are they invasive and persued as such or are they left to carry on regardless? As with Magpies.

Kev.

That is a good question.
Blow-Ins are classed as Invasive Alien species. These are a difficult subject in that there would be a need to tackle the problem, but how?
In some cases, the species has become so much of an established species here that little can be done. For others, there are things that can be done and are being done.

Not all species on the schedule are introduced via the pet or plant trade, some get here via normal open-market trade eg in the ballast of ships. There is a convention of the control of species introduced via, say, ship ballast.

Another clear problem poised to any legislation is it is little use having legislation to cover ROI if NI is not on the same page......afterall, I doubt a roaming mink knows that Cavan is in ROI.

Hence, to that end, there is extensive discussion between all parties (NI and ROI).
Invasive Species Ireland is a key pivotal organisation in assuring that. The meeting on Thursday was an ALL island of Ireland meeting.

Ian

Good question Kev, I am sure some of the species listed make it here of their own accord.
Not to mention the fact that a lot of the species on the list are here already and wreaking havoc in some areas already. Areas of mountain sides and some areas of native woodland covered in rhododendron, plenty of ditches and hedgerows around the country infested with giant hogweed, not to mention quite a few of our lakes devastated by zebra mussel. I regularly encounter mink when fishing on rivers around the country. A lot of this legislation looks like a case of closing the stable door after the horse has bolted.
As for the capability of the authorities here to do anything about it, where do I start? Have been on lakes in the west of Ireland and witnessed farmer’s literally spraying slurry on the waters edge. The response from the fisheries board was, “well we can do nothing now as it’s the weekend, we can send someone out to look on Monday” Several similar incidents related to clowns netting stretches of canal in the midlands.
Whatever about the legislation, the willingness of the “authorities” in this country to do anything about it seems to be a different matter. I saw a few people make the point recently that education is the only way to go, I tend to agree!
Just my 2 cents worth

Cheers,
Bill.

Doh! was writing a reply at the same time as Ian

That's what you get from typing long responses, BillG.

Yep, parts are like shutting the door after the horse has bolted.
The lists on that document were ones existing in a draft document based upon reports from various sources.

There are some activities around the country to remove invasives were possible (and financial economics plays a part in that).
The list of species will act to minimise a continued addition to a problem.

I brought a different opinion on some species to the table. My risk assessment would be based upon probabilities of a hazard being a risk if not controlled even if we do not have any cited examples of it being a danger in Ireland.....eg if a Zander can exist in the UK, then it can exist here etc, and following from that there are species requiring similar conditions to thrive. The Zander, however, is a blatant example; many other species have a more subtle impact on native habitats.

In some respects, some people make reports based upon what are really fire-fighting methods of 'risk assessment'. My personal stance, and one which I felt was a general feeling within the wednesday and thursday meeting, was a proper Risk Assessment.

The third schedule list is an annex. Regs 49 and 50 are the key points.
Within that, Koi are covered (although not specificaly cited within the 3rd schedule). That item is of particular interest to the pet trade for good reason.

Education and awareness are key points. Attitudes of people to not keeping careful tabs on species, and to wreckless dumping need to change.

Here is a link to Invasive Species Ireland invasivespeciesireland.com/

ian

Thank you Ian