RHS worried by planned EU legislation on invasive species

The RHS has expressed its concern during a House of Commons Environment Audit Committee meeting into invasive non-native species, about proposed EU regulation that would give the authorities the power to enter properties to destroy or eradicate invasive non-native plants deemed to be of concern to the EU.

The new regulation, which will be voted on by the European Parliament in April, will effectively ban species of plants deemed to be of ‘Union Concern’ from being brought into the EU; reproduced (for instance, set seed in the case of plants); transported within the EU, or even possessed.

This ban on possession goes far beyond the existing regulation on invasive non-native species in England, although this power already exists in Scotland. The Scottish Wildlife and Natural Environment Act grants powers to enter properties to destroy suspect plants, although there is no ban on possession.

A cap of 50 organisms on the list of species of Union Concern was part of the original proposal, but this was rejected by most EU member states, leaving it currently unclear how many species will be subject to the ban, or the process for including species on the list.

While the RHS welcomes sensible and proportionate steps to prevent the spread of invasive non-native species it believes this new regulation is too rigid, especially in its stipulation that a species listed as invasive in one EU country would be ‘banned’ in all countries, regardless of whether or not they posed a threat.

The RHS is keen to see any EU regulation recognise regional differences to avoid ornamental plants which pose no threat in the UK, being banned because they are considered a problem in other EU countries.

The RHS will continue to work closely with the horticulture industry and government in order the represent the interests of the British gardening public.

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