MOSCOW, April 16 (RIA Novosti) – The European Parliament (EP) is voting Wednesday on new rules on invasive species in a bid to protect biodiversity on the continent, the parliament said in a statement.
"The new measures should prevent new invasive alien species from entering the EU and to deal more effectively with the ones that are already established in Europe,” said Pavel Poc, a Czech representative guiding the legislation through parliament.
Under the proposal, a list would be drawn up of invasive alien species that could prove dangerous for European ecosystems. The new regulations would also require member states to improve surveillance systems and coordinate their efforts on preventing dangerous animal and plant species from entering the EU.
"Invasive alien species are estimated to cost the European Union at least €12 billion per year and the damage costs continue to increase,” Poc said.
The EU defines invasive alien species as those that are, firstly, outside their natural distribution area, and secondly, threaten biological diversity. The kudzu vine, Andean Pampas grass and yellow starthistle are well-known examples.
