WWT has urged MPs to help create a fit for purpose framework that can ban damaging invasive species from being sold in the UK.
WWT regularly advises MPs on wetland matters - though they only have to look out the window to see submerged tidal mudflats!
Invasive plants and animals cost the British economy nearly £2bn per year to deal with. Wetlands are particularly vulnerable because tropical plants released into the British environment can outcompete our native wildlife and choke them of space, oxygen and food.
The UK and other countries are currently negotiating in Brussels to inform how a European Regulation will restrict the cross-border movement of invasive alien species.
A Committee of MPs is assessing the Government’s approach. They asked for evidence from WWT because we lead the environmental charity sector’s views on the issue. We spoke on behalf of more than 40 organisations including WWF, National Trust and RSPB.
The MPs were especially keen to hear WWT’s opinion on whether the number of banned invasive species in the UK should be restricted to a ‘black list’, or whether legislation should establish a complementary “white list” of species. WWT Head of Conservation Policy Carrie Hume said the legislation should be able to accommodate both:
“You can have a black list covering all the baddies we know about and you could beef that up so it’s more rapidly updated. But you can also have a white list at the same time, for groups you know more about - for example some aquatic plants.
“The future danger comes from species like water hyacinth. It’s coined as one of the world’s worst water weeds. It should only be in the Amazon Basin. But it’s present in over 50 countries, in every continent except Antarctica. It’s already being sold and traded in the UK. We know the wetlands in the UK are suitable for water hyacinth. All it needs is one or two degrees higher and it’ll take over.”
WWT Head of Conservation Policy Carrie Hume speaking at Westminster
