Robert Sturdy hosts Seminar on Invasive Alien Species
Posted, January 26, 2012 @ 10:00
Brussels, 25th January 2012 – Robert Sturdy, MEP for the East of England and member of the European Parliament’s Agriculture and Rural Development Committee, welcomed guests from European Anglers Alliance, European Squirrel Initiative, COPA-COGECA, European Landowners Organisation, the Australian Representative to the EU, the RSPB and many more, to the European Parliament to discuss the escalating problem of Invasive Alien Species in Europe.
Alongside the European Parliament’s Sustainable Hunting, Biodiversity, Countryside Activities and Forestry Intergroup and the Federation of Associations for Hunting and Conservation of the EU (FACE), Mr. Sturdy chaired a very productive discussion that was also attended by Ms. Bastino of the European Commission. The aim of the seminar was to influence the Commission’s upcoming proposal for an EU Strategy on invasive Alien Species, which is expected to be presented in 2012.
Invasive Alien Species are a major cause of biodiversity loss. In the UK the American Grey Squirrel has out competed, and in many parts of the UK replaced, the native red. Aside from the cost to biodiversity there is also a cost to the economy. Invasive Alien Species are estimated to cost theUKeconomy over £2 billion a year. In the EU this figure is estimated to be £10 billion.
Speaking after chairing the event, Mr. Sturdy said: “Invasive Alien Species are not only clear and present dangers to European biodiversity, their effects are felt by our rural communities and it is thought that they cost the UK and EU billions of Euros every year. It is very important that we recognise the scale of the threat and deal with it accordingly. ”