Agenda item

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“‘1.0    Purpose of Report or Summary of main Issues

1.1       The purpose of this report is to make Members aware of the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) consultation in relation to the Management measures for widely spread Invasive Alien Species (IAS) in Northern Ireland and to seek Members’ approval of the Council’s draft response.  The consultation response closes on 23rd October 2019.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       Members are asked to;

·        consider the draft response as set out in Appendix 1 and approve its submission to DAERA, subject to any comments or amendment provided, with the proviso that the response is subject to full Council approval at its meeting on 4th November 2019.

3.0       Main report

            Key Issues

3.1       On the 11th September 2019, DAERA launched a six week consultation in relation to the Management measures for widely spread Invasive Alien Species (IAS) in Northern Ireland’.  The purpose of this consultation is to obtain views on the management measures being considered by DAERA for species of Union concern which are widely spread in Northern Ireland. The consultation document is available at https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/consultations.

3.2       Regulation (EU) No. 1143/2014 on the prevention and management of the introduction and spread of invasive alien species came into force on 1 January 2015. It imposes strict restrictions on a list of species known as ‘species of Union concern’. These are species whose potential adverse impacts across the European Union are such that concerted action across Europe is required. The restrictions mean that (subject to certain defences, or exemptions through permits or licences) species of Union concern cannot be imported into the EU, kept, bred, transported, placed on the market, used or exchanged, allowed to reproduce, grown or cultivated, or released into the environment. There are currently 66 species on the Union list: 30 animals and 36 plants. 

3.3       Ten species of Union concern that have been identified as being widely spread in Northern Ireland. For these widely spread species, the Regulation requires effective management measures to be put in place, so that their impact on biodiversity, the related ecosystem services and, where applicable, human health or the economy are minimised. Management measures consist of lethal or non-lethal physical, chemical or biological actions aimed at the eradication, population control or containment of a population of widely spread species.

3.4       The 10 species identified are

            Plants

            Nuttall’s waterweed (Elodea nuttallii),

            Chilean rhubarb (Gunnera tinctoria),

            Giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum),

            Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera),

            Curly waterweed (Lagarosiphon major),

            American skunk cabbage (Lysichiton americanus),

            Parrot’s feather (Myriophyllum aquaticum).

            Animals

            Grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis),

            all subspecies of (Trachemys scripta) otherwise known as ‘slider terrapins’ &

            New Zealand Flatworm (Arturdendvus triangulates)

3.5       Belfast City Council in principle, supports the management measures focussed on reducing the impact that the 10 widely spread species of Union concern have on native biodiversity and ecosystem services as well as their wider socio-economic impacts. 

3.6       The Council welcomes a strategic approach but considers that it is not possible to provide specific comments as the document outlines a range of options/approaches such as control to eradication for the 10 species listed. Naturally management measures will depend on the local circumstances however BCC considers clarification is needed at the local level to identify impacts and costs for each of the listed species. 

3.7       A copy of the draft response is included as Appendix 1 but in summary the council suggests the following should be completed to assist with the implementation of this legislation and to maximise efforts to control IAS across NI.

·        Special criteria should be developed to determine the approach taken ie control or eradication at a local level.  It is not possible to comment on specific species given that criteria has not been provided to assess the level or type of action/approach likely to be taken for each species.  In addition is DAERA the Competent Authority which determines the approach?

·        The criteria should be unambiguous and evidence based to ensure consistent approaches across NI. 

·        Monitoring of actions should also be undertaken to ascertain effectiveness and plan for future action. 

·        The resource implication for Council and other land owners would need to be determined and subsequently resourced.  Funding should be provided to key stakeholders to enable additional action on the control of IAS.

·        The provision of advice and guidance is essential.  Currently there is a lack of guidance from the Department on control options.  Costed Case studies and best practice should be developed to enable effective action.  This is particularly relevant for the widespread aquatic species listed.

3.8       BCC would welcome further engagement with DAERA to clarify and assess specific implications of this legislation for Belfast. 

3.9       Financial & Resource Implications

            There are none with this report.  However, dependent on the approach/level of action deemed necessary by DAERA there may be limited or significant resource implications for the council.

3.10     Equality or Good Relations Implications/Rural Needs Assessment

            There are none with this report.”

            The Committee adopted the recommendations.