WWT welcomes MPs' invasives report

Invasive and damaging - South American Water Primrose
Invasive and damaging - South American Water Primrose

The UK’s much-loved wildlife needs to be protected from damaging invasive species – and WWT is urging the Government to act on MPs’ concerns published today that not enough is being done.

It’s estimated that invasive plants and animals cost the British economy more than £1.7bn every year. Estimates for particular species include £10m per year for tree damage caused by grey squirrels, while the cost of eradicating South American water primrose could rise hundredfold to £1/4bn if current infestations spread out of hand. The plant forms dense mats across wetlands which choke wildlife of light, oxygen and space.

WWT is welcoming recommendations made to Government in a report published today by a cross-party Committee of MPs. The recommendations include to:

  • Follow other countries in adopting an international agreement stopping ships from emptying ballast water into our ports that may have foreign organisms which damage our native wildlife – eg zebra mussels which not only displace native wildlife but can block intake pipes for power stations and water treatment works.
  • Replicate laws in Scotland across the rest of the UK to allow authorities to enter private land so they can control invasive species outbreaks quickly.
  • Invest in ways to spot future risk species coming the UK’s way and to use strong, science-based evidence that assess those risks quickly so we can act quickly – and help neighbouring countries to co-ordinate with us and do the same.

WWT Head of Conservation Policy Carrie Hume – who gave evidence to the Committee - said:

“Our much-loved wildlife is under constant threat from damaging non-native species.

“Invasive species are too often mistakenly dismissed as tomorrow’s problem, by which time damage and cost has already risen exponentially. I’m pleased the MPs have raised the urgency of this issue today and made really effective recommendations to prevent problems before they get out of hand.

“The Committee Report sets out quick wins as well as the longer term issues the Government needs to address. I hope Ministers will act on those recommendations quickly and confidently, in support of which WWT offers our conservation expertise.” 

Visitors to WWT’s London and Martin Mere Wetland Centres can find out more about the impact of invasive species through fun exhibits at both Wetland Centres – including ‘welly boot trees’ with information about how we can all help to avoid the spread of invasive wetland plants by cleaning our boots after being near rivers and lakes.

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