Non-native species that become invasive are considered the second greatest threat to wildlife worldwide. The joint governments' response concludes the consultation process on the draft Invasive Non-Native Species Framework Strategy for Great Britain, in preparation for a final strategy to be produced in the Spring.

Ninety two per cent of responses to the consultation supported the strategic approach set out in the draft strategy, and over ninety per cent were supportive of each of the strategy's key delivery sections. Ninety eight per cent of respondents also agreed that to succeed, the strategy needs a joint approach with a wide range of bodies and interests.

The strategy will take a balanced approach to tackling the introduction of these damaging species and their effects on the environment. Measures are proposed across a number of key areas including:

* awareness raising to help prevent unwanted introductions of non-native species;

* detecting problems early and tackling them quickly;

* using good research to underpin management; and

* making appropriate use of legislative powers.

Commenting on the response, Joan Ruddock Minister for Climate Change and Biodiversity said:

"Achieving better protection for our valuable natural heritage from invasive non-native species needs co-operation from a wide range of partners, and the support shown for the approach set out in the draft strategy is highly encouraging. I welcome all the responses to the consultation which are invaluable in helping us to finalise the strategy."

Michael Russell, Environment Minister for the Scottish Government said:

"Scotland has become home to a number of invasive non-native species and it is vital that work is done on how we counter the threat they pose.

"The responses to the consultation strengthen our position and we are now almost in a position to take this work forward."

Jane Davidson, Environment Minister for the Welsh Assembly Government said:

"Managing the control of invasive non-native species is key to conserving our native flora and fauna, and contributes towards our goal of halting the loss of biodiversity by 2010. It is important that we have the appropriate systems in place to react quickly to incidents as they arise and we must do all we can to ensure that the wider environment is capable of supporting our native habitats and species biodiversity."

Responses to the consultation also raised interesting points for consideration in finalising the strategy. These include general support for the monitoring and surveillance of non-native species driven here by the influence of climate change and which might pose a risk. Whilst targeted or localised control of these species might be justified in some cases, there was also a general agreement that efforts to completely exclude or eradicate such species would not always be effective. Nearly a third of respondents felt that these species should not be included in the strategy's scope because such colonisation by non-native species would be a continuous process involving species that might form part of future biodiversity.

www.fishupdate.com is published by Special Publications. Special Publications also publish FISHupdate magazine, Fish Farmer, the Fish Industry Yearbook, the Scottish Seafood Processors Federation Diary, the Fish Farmer Handbook and a range of wallplanners.

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