Biodiversity-Strategy-January-2023

35 Invasive alien species (IAS) are defined as harmful non-native species, whose introduction or spread threatens the environment, economy or society, including human health. After habitat destruction, IAS are the second biggest threat to biodiversity. Once established, IAS are extremely difficult to control and costly to eradicate, and their ecological effects are often irreversible. A report on the economic impact of invasive species (published in 2013) showed the then-current estimate of the annual cost of invasive species to the Irish economy was approximately £161 million, and an estimate of the annual cost of invasive species to the Northern Ireland economy was £46.5 million (Kelly et al, 2013). 5 The challenge of dealing with the spread and impact of IAS is well recognised as a key threat to biodiversity loss, which will only be exacerbated by climate change, unless intervention is successful. Legal Position The Council and any landowner is legally obliged to prevent the spread of key IAS on its land under The Wildlife Order (NI) 1985. Article 15 of this legislation confirms that it is an offence to cause to grow in the wild, any species of plant listed under Schedule 9 part II of the order. This includes Japanese knotweed, giant hogweed and Himalayan balsam. Article 15 also confirms that it is an offence to introduce or allow to escape into the wild, any of the above species. Wildlife and Natural Environment (WANE) Act (NI) 2011 - amendments to the Wildlife Order 1985 - details the relevant methods of prosecution for breaches of the 1985 order. It also includes the Biodiversity Duty, “It is the duty of every public body, in exercising any functions, to further the conservation of biodiversity so far as is consistent with the proper exercise of those functions.” The Council and any landowners are legally obliged to put in place management measures for 66 Widely Spread Species through The Invasive Alien Species (Enforcement and Permitting) Order (NI) 2019. This recent legislation (brought into force on the 1st December 2019) delivers stronger sanctions for introduction and control of IAS. A list of these Widely Spread ‘Species of Union Concern,’ can be found on the DAERA website 6 with more information on each species and their distribution on www.invasivespeciesireland. com. The Council has been surveying IAS on Council managed estate, recording and mapping IAS through GIS, managing and controlling key species such as Japanese knotweed and giant hogweed, and raising awareness of IAS through in-house training and public awareness campaigns. We have worked in partnership with Lough Erne Landscape Partnership (LELP) through funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, to produce and distribute over 5,000 IAS ID swatch cards and have delivered Lantra Award IAS training to multiple stakeholders. Council will continue to follow and implement the legislative requirements as they evolve and increase our efforts to engage widely to help reduce the impact Invasive Alien Species are having on our native biodiversity. We will deliver more engaging awareness campaigns to spread information to as many people as possible. 5 Kelly, J., Tosh, D., Dale, K., & Jackson, A. (2013) The economic cost of invasive and non-native species in Ireland and Northern Ireland . A report prepared for the Northern Ireland Environment Agency and National Parks and Wildlife Service as part of Invasive Species Ireland. 6 Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (daera-ni.gov.uk ) (2021) EU Invasive alien species. https:/ www. daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/eu-invasive-alien-species . Accessed 31/08/2021. 9.4 Theme 4: Invasive Alien Species