EU Invasive alien species
Non-native species are those that have been introduced, either intentionally or unintentionally, outside their natural range. Many of these non-native species live in harmony with our native species causing no adverse impacts. However a few non-native species have become known as ‘invasive’ as they thrive in our habitats and out-compete our native flora and fauna.
EU Regulation on Invasive Alien Species
In November 2014 the European Union published a new Regulation (EU) 1143/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the prevention and management of the introduction and spread of invasive alien species.
The EU Regulation came into force on 1 January 2015 and addresses the problem of certain European wide invasive alien species in a comprehensive manner. It aims to establish a more consistent approach to tackling those invasive alien species.
A core provision of the EU Regulation is a list of invasive alien species of Union concern (‘the Union list’), which are species whose potential adverse impacts across the European Union are such that concerted action across Europe is required.
The first Union list of 37 species (14 plants and 23 animals) was adopted on 4 December 2015 and came into force on 3 August 2016.
The first update of the Union list which added a further 12 species (9 plants and 3 animals) was adopted on 12 July 2017 and enters into force on 2 August 2017.
The second update of the Union list which added a further 17 species (13 plants and 4 animals) was adopted on 25 July 2019 and entered into force on 15 August 2019.
In addition to the general FAQ which the Commission has published on its website(external link opens in a new window / tab), NI Government has also produced its own FAQ for NI stakeholders which can be found on the Invasive Species Northern Ireland website here - https://invasivespeciesni.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/NIEA-Invasive-Alien-Species-Order-Updated-2024-FAQs.pdf
The Invasive Alien Species (Enforcement and Permitting) Order (Northern Ireland) 2019
In line with Defra, and the other devolved administrations, the Department has introduced new domestic legislation to fulfil its obligations under the EU Regulation
The Invasive Alien Species (Enforcement and Permitting) Order (Northern Ireland) 2019 makes provision for criminal offences relating to breaches of requirements of the EU Regulation.
Part 2 of the 2019 Order contains criminal offences, which include breach of the main restrictions in the EU Regulation, as well as ancillary offences; - for example relating to false statements, attempts to commit offences and obstruction. It also contains provisions relating to offences by bodies corporate, partnerships and unincorporated associations. Parts 3 and 4 contain defences to those offences and penalties respectively. Penalties are set to be consistent with similar penalties contained in existing legislation relating to non-native species. Part 5 sets out enforcement powers available to the Department and authorised persons who will enforce the Order. Part 6 provides for the issue of permits in accordance with Articles 8 and 9 of the EU Regulation. Part 7 contains licensing provisions which may be issued for a number of different activities, provided specific conditions are met. Permits and licenses will be issued by the Department. Part 8 contains provisions ensuring the Order works alongside related legislation and avoids duplication of controls between similar regimes were possible.
Any companion animal of a listed species that was kept before it was included on the EU list may continue to be kept in secure accommodation, as long as it is not able to breed until the end of its natural life.
The Order comes into operation on 1st December 2019.
Regulation (EU) No 1143/2014 Of the European Parliament and of The Council of 22 October 2014 on the prevention and management of the introduction and spread of invasive alien species
The European Commission has to date listed 88 ‘Species of Union Concern’ to which the EU Invasive Alien Species Regulation 1143/2014 applies.
All of these species have been accepted as meeting agreed criteria concerning their invasiveness and ability to establish in several Member States.
Listing imposes restrictions on the commercial keeping, sale, and transporting of the listed plants and animals, and their intentional breeding or release.
The aim of this new regime is to prevent or manage the introduction, or spread, of invasive non-native species across the European Union.
In order to achieve this aim the EU Regulation requires Member States to put in place surveillance and Rapid Response mechanisms and to develop management measures for Widely Spread Species (WSS).
A permit scheme will be in operation to allow derogations from some of these restrictions (other than their release) but only in very limited circumstances such as scientific research specifically tailored towards improvement of eradication methods.
Northern Ireland brought into force its own corresponding legislation on the 1st December 2019 - The Invasive Alien Species (Enforcement and Permitting) Order (Northern Ireland) 2019
DAERA are the ‘competent authority ‘for enforcing this Regulation.
The Northern Ireland Explanatory Memorandum to the above legislation is provided for further guidance
Listed below are those 88 species and a link through to where you can find more information about each species on the Invasive Species Northern Ireland website.
Species of Union Concern
Animals
| Scientific name | Common name | Entry into force |
| Acridotheres tristis | Common myna bird | 14 August 2019 |
| Alopochen aegyptiacus | Egyptian goose | 02 August 2017 |
| Arthurdendyus triangulatus | New Zealand flatworm | 14 August 2019 |
| Callosciurus erythraeus | Pallas's squirrel | 03 August 2016 |
| Corvus splendens | Indian house crow | 03 August 2016 |
| Eriocheir sinensis | Chinese mitten crab | 03 August 2016 |
| Herpestes javanicus | Small Asian mongoose / Javan mongoose | 03 August 2016 |
| Lepomis gibbosus | Pumpkinseed | 14 August 2019 |
| Lithobates (Rana) catesbeianus | North American bullfrog | 03 August 2016 |
| Muntiacus reevesii | Muntjac deer | 03 August 2016 |
| Myocastor coypus | Coypu | 03 August 2016 |
| Nasua | Coati | 03 August 2016 |
| Nyctereutes procyonoides | Raccoon dog | 02 February 2019 |
| Ondatra zibethicus | Muskrat | 02 August 2017 |
| Orconectes limosus (Faxonius limosus) | Spiny-cheek crayfish | 03 August 2016 |
| Orconectes virilis (Faxonius virilis) | Virile crayfish | 03 August 2016 |
| Oxyura jamaicensis | Ruddy duck | 03 August 2016 |
| Pacifastacus leniusculus | Signal crayfish | 03 August 2016 |
| Percottus glenii | Chinese sleeper / Amur sleeper | 03 August 2016 |
| Plotosus lineatus | Striped eel catfish | 14 August 2019 |
| Procambarus clarkia | Red swamp crayfish | 03 August 2016 |
| Procambarus fallax f. virginalis (Procambarus virginalis) | Marbled crayfish | 03 August 2016 |
| Procyon lotor | Raccoon | 03 August 2016 |
| Pseudorasbora parva | Stone moroko | 03 August 2016 |
| Sciurus carolinensis | Grey squirrel | 03 August 2016 |
| Sciurus niger | Fox squirrel | 03 August 2016 |
| Tamias sibiricus | Siberian chipmunk | 03 August 2016 |
| Threskiornis aethiopicus | Sacred ibis | 03 August 2016 |
| Trachemys scripta spp. | Red-eared terrapin | 03 August 2016 |
| Vespa velutina nigrithorax | Asian hornet | 03 August 2016 |
Plants
| Scientific name | Common name | Entry into force |
| Acacia saligna (Acacia cyanophylla) | Golden wreath wattle | 14 August 2019 |
| Ailanthus altissima | Tree of heaven | 14 August 2019 |
| Alternanthera philoxeroides | Alligator weed | 02 August 2017 |
| Andropogon virginicus | Broomsedge bluestem | 14 August 2019 |
| Asclepias syriaca | Milkweed | 02 August 2017 |
| Baccharis halimifolia | Eastern Baccharis | 03 August 2016 |
| Cabomba caroliniana | Green cabomba | 03 August 2016 |
| Cardiospermum grandiflorum | Balloon vine | 14 August 2019 |
| Cortaderia jubata | Purple pampas grass | 14 August 2019 |
| Ehrharta calycina | Perennial veldtgrass | 14 August 2019 |
| Eichhornia crassipes | Water hyacinth | 03 August 2016 |
| Elodea nuttallii | Nuttall's waterweed | 02 August 2017 |
| Gunnera tinctoria | Chilean rhubarb | 02 August 2017 |
| Gymnocoronis spilanthoides | Senegal tea plant | 14 August 2019 |
| Heracleum persicum | Persian hogweed | 03 August 2016 |
| Heracleum sosnowskyi | Sosnowski's hogweed | 03 August 2016 |
| Heracleum mantegazzianum | Giant hogweed | 02 August 2017 |
| Humulus scandens | Japanese hop | 14 August 2019 |
| Hydrocotyle ranunculoides | Floating pennywort | 03 August 2016 |
| Impatiens glandulifera | Himalayan balsam | 02 August 2017 |
| Lagarosiphon major | Curly waterweed | 03 August 2016 |
| Lespedeza cuneata (Lespedeza juncea var. sericea) | Chinese bushclover | 14 August 2019 |
| Ludwigia grandiflora | Water primrose | 03 August 2016 |
| Ludwigia peploides | Floating primrose willow | 03 August 2016 |
| Lygodium japonicum | Vine-like fern | 14 August 2019 |
| Lysichiton americanus | American skunk cabbage | 03 August 2016 |
| Microstegium vimineum | Japanese stiltgrass | 02 August 2017 |
| Myriophyllum aquaticum | Parrot's feather | 03 August 2016 |
| Myriophyllum heterophyllum | Broadleaf watermilfoil | 02 August 2017 |
| Parthenium hysterophorus | Whitetop weed | 03 August 2016 |
| Pennisetum setaceum | Crimson fountaingrass | 02 August 2017 |
| Persicaria perfoliata (Polygonum perfoliatum) | Asiatic tearthumb | 03 August 2016 |
| Prosopis juliflora | Mesquite | 14 August 2019 |
| Pueraria montana var. lobata (Pueraria lobata) | Kudzu vine | 03 August 2016 |
| Salvinia molesta (Salvinia adnata) | Salvinia moss | 14 August 2019 |
| Triadica sebifera (Sapium sebiferum) | Chinese tallow | 14 August 2019 |