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Expansion of European Union list of invasive alien species imminent

April 22, 2024

Japanseduizendknoop
Starting in June, the European Commission will discuss which new plant species might be added to the European Union's list of invasive alien species. Placement means that trading and cultivating these species will no longer be possible. The placement decision is expected by the end of the year.

This is reported by the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality. The European Commission is likely to discuss the following plant species in June:

Scientific name

Name

Broussonetia papyrifera

Paper mulberry

Cortaderia selloana

Pampas grass

Delairea odorata

Not known (plant)

Acacia mearnsii

Not known (tree)

Tradescantia fluminensis

Not known (plant)

Zostera japonica

Not known (eelgrass)

Crassula helmsii

Water crassula

Reynoutria japonica

Japanese knotweed

(formerly Fallopia Japonica)

Reynoutria x bohemica

Basterd knotweed

(formerly Fallopia x bohemica)

Reynoutria sachalinensis

Sakhaline knotweed

(formerly Fallopia sachalinensis)




A risk assessment of these plant species has been carried out. Some have also already been assessed by the European Scientific Forum on Invasive Alien Species.


Research

Wageningen Economic Research is conducting a study commissioned by the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality on the impact on the floricultural horticulture sector of a possible inclusion on the EU list of invasive alien species of the plant species Cortaderia selloana, Broussonetia papyrifera and Tradescantia fluminensis. As part of this study, interviews and company visits will be conducted at a number of companies.

Your cooperation in this survey is greatly appreciated!


Earlier, the LTO Trade Group on Trees, Perennials and Summer Flowers submitted a response to the European Commission on the risk assessment of Cortaderia selloana and Broussonetia papyrifera. This information was shared with the researchers.


Call
 If you have any factual or substantiated information of relevance to the discussion on whether these plant species should be placed on the European Union’s list, please make it known to the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality at kdinvasieve-exoten@minlnv.nl, and at Royal FloraHolland via Frits Jonk , fritsjonk@royalfloraholland.com Please note: The European Commission only considers substantiated responses, not opinions.



According to the European definition, invasive alien species are alien species of plants (animals or other organisms) that can become established in a country, reproduce rapidly, and are harmful to native species. The purpose of inclusion on the European Union’s list of invasive alien species, and thus a ban on cultivation and trade, is to protect native biodiversity. Read more about the European Exotics Regulation on the NVWA's site: https://www.nvwa.nl/onderwerpen/invasieve-exoten


And the RFO website:
https://www.rvo.nl/onderwerpen/invasieve-exoten