Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
actions in this field and includes precise proposals on (1) awareness and informa-
tion issues concerning invasive alien species, (2) the need to strengthen national and
regional capacities, (3) prevention of new introductions and early warning systems
for new arrivals, (4) reduction of the adverse impacts of invasive alien species on
biological diversity, (5) measures required to recover species and natural habitats
affected by invasive alien species.
16.3.3
Cooperation Between EPPO and the Bern Convention
The Bern Convention and EPPO have established a partnership on the topic of
invasive alien species, and work closely together on invasive alien plants at the
regional scale, as recommended by the CBD (COP 8 Decision VIII/27). As IPPC-
related activities are in most countries under the responsibility of the Ministry of
Agriculture, while CBD matters are under the responsibility of the Ministry of the
Environment, this partnership allows a concrete partnership to be established
between the Plant Health and Biodiversity Conservation sectors.
16.4
EPPO Regional Approach to the Evaluation
and Management of Risks Presented
by Invasive Alien Plants
16.4.1
PRA Systems in Place Within EPPO
The EPPO Convention lays down that one of the aims of EPPO is “to pursue and
develop, by cooperation between the Member Governments, the protection of plants
and plant products against pests and the prevention of their international spread and
especially their introduction into endangered areas”. EPPO Council has conse-
quently decided to draw up lists of pests, which present an unacceptable risk, and
whose regulation is relevant for the whole of, or large parts of, the EPPO region. The
first list is of A1 pests, not present in the EPPO region. The second list is of A2 pests,
present in the EPPO region but not widely distributed (i.e. absent from or not widely
distributed in certain countries, where they are therefore subject to official control).
The first lists were approved in 1975. In 2007, they contained 298 quarantine pests
recommended for regulation (available on the EPPO website).
Addition of a pest to the A1 or A2 list may be proposed by a member govern-
ment, or result from the appearance of the pest on the EPPO Alert List (a pest
warning system managed by the Secretariat). In either case, the proposal has been
since the mid 1990s subject to PRA following the standards of the IPPC and EPPO.
Originally, this PRA was usually put forward by the proposing member, commis-
sioned from an expert or prepared by the Secretariat. Since 2006, however, in
