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Invasive non–native species

There are many plants, animals and insects living in Scotland which are not native to our country. They have been introduced accidentally or deliberately by people and while some are beneficial, for example many of the crops and animals farmed to feed us, others can have negative effects.

A small proportion of non–native species become invasive, perhaps because they find our climate favourable or because they are not subject to the diseases and predators that naturally manage their populations in their native lands. These species spread out of control and threaten our natural biodiversity by taking over where native species should thrive, or by harbouring diseases to which our native species have no immunity.

Such 'invasive non–native species' are recognised by the Convention on Biological Diversity as the greatest threat to biodiversity after habitat loss and decline. In some cases they can damage our buildings or livelihoods, for example structural damage caused by Japanese knotweed. They can even damage our health . It has been estimated that invasive non–native species cost the British economy around £2 billion every year.

Regulation

SEPA has a role in consulting on the use of authorised herbicides in or near watercourses; anyone wanting to control plants in or near watercourses should contact their local Environmental Protection and Improvement Team before they start work.

We also regulate the handling of waste material containing, in particular, plant material from invasive species. More detailed information on the legal requirements for these activities can be found at the NetRegs website .

Influencing

Overseen by the GB Non-Native Species Secretariat, the Invasive Non-Native Species Framework Strategy  for Great Britain sets out the agreed hierarchical approach to invasive non-native species:

·         Prevention

·         Early detection, surveillance, monitoring and rapid response

·          Mitigation, control and eradication

With organisations and industry representatives from across Britain, SEPA has been involved in the development of a rapid response protocol and communications plan for Great Britain and is helping to support the awareness raising campaign 'Be Plant Wise'  which is being promoted by the Scottish Government  to encourage aquatic plant suppliers and their customers to avoid non-native plants that could spread out of garden ponds and damage local biodiversity.

Partnerships

Some of our most important partnerships are through the Area Advisory Groups which are overseeing the measures agreed through river basin management plans. Invasive non–native species are considered a significant water management issue, and in some areas the presence of certain species has resulted in watercourses being classified as less than good status. All the partners in these groups are working to address this and to prevent further deterioration in the ecological quality of our watercourses.

SEPA works with partners such as Scottish Natural Heritage  to develop research into the effects of, and possible solutions for, the problems caused by invasive non–native species such as North American Signal Crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus) and the water plant New Zealand pigmyweed (Crassula helmsii).

We are also working closely with the Rivers and Fisheries Trusts of Scotland  on a country-wide project to develop biosecurity plans for most river catchments which will help to prevent the spread of invasive non–native species, and quickly tackle any new arrivals.