Commission Implementing Regulation 2022/1203/EC added 22 invasive alien species of Union concern (IAS of UC) to the Union List set under EU Regulation (EU) 1143/2014 (IAS Regulation). IAS of UC are ...alien species whose adverse impact has been deemed so severe to require concerted action at Union level. Towards this aim, high-quality and updated data on the new IAS of UC is crucial for their management. This report provides the baseline distribution of 13 IAS of UC out of 22 added to the Union list, which are currently present in the EU territory and to which the IAS Regulation applies. This data constitutes the reference baseline at European level. 18 EU Member States (MS) Competent Authorities contributed to the definition of the baseline by revising and supplementing spatial data harvested from the European Alien Species Information Network (EASIN). In addition to the species spatial distribution for each IAS of UC, the report contains information on the taxonomic group, origin, first introduction in the EU, main pathway of introduction in the EU, habitat, and ecosystems impact. To this end, the pressure caused by the 13 IAS of UC on terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems across the EU is assessed in this report. Results show that 77% of these IAS of UC are from the Kingdom Animalia and the Infraclass Teleostei (31%). 50% of freshwater and terrestrial IAS of UC were introduced in Europe through the primary pathway "Escape from confinement" and 20% by intentional introductions: "Biological control" (10 %) or "Other intentional release" (10%). The distribution of the 13 species subject of the baseline shows their highest number of established occurrences in France and Spain, i.e., 8 and 7 respectively, and the lowest in Denmark, Luxemburg, Sweden and Slovakia. Six species are more frequent across EU: Ameiurus melas, Gambusia holbrooki, Koenigia polystachya, and Gambusia affinis. Croplands ecosystems show the highest percentage of invaded area and the highest average of cumulative pressure by IAS of UC, suggesting negative impacts on agroecosystems. On the opposite side, the lowest pressure is recorded in grassland areas. This baseline will support MS in the implementation of the IAS Regulation. It will help adapting the surveillance and monitoring systems and is an essential reference to the application of "Early detection Notifications" and will also support the review of the IAS Regulation. In addition, this data is key for fostering MS cooperation and coordination across borders or within shared biogeographical regions.
This report describes a horizon scanning methodological approach for identifying Invasive Alien Species (IAS) not yet present, or with a limited distribution, across the EU Member States. The ...selected species can be prioritized for Pest Risk Assessment and scrutinized as candidates for listing as IAS of Union concern. A brief case study is provided to support the implementation of the EU Regulation 1143/2014/EC ("IAS Regulation") through the selection of high-risk IAS whose introduction and spread in the EU should be prevented and managed.
This report constitutes a technical analysis of the responses to the questionnaire regarding the phytosanitary measures related to the Plant Passport (PP) system under the new plant health ...legislation, as provided by several stakeholders. The questionnaire - sent in February 2021 - was answered by 177 respondents including National Plant Protection Organisations (NPPOs), certification Competent Authorities (CAs), professional operators, associations (both national and EU-wide), and the general public, from 25 different EU Member States. This report includes an analysis carried out by DG SANTE of policy aspects related to the experience gained from the extension of the plant passport system to all movement of plants for planting within the territory of the European Union, as addressed in the questionnaire, and a cost benefit analysis thereof, carried out by JRC. Results show the stakeholders' views on the cost and benefits of the extension of the PP requirement to all movement of plants for planting within the territory of the European Union, as well as some other provisions aimed at strengthening the PP system. The results also include evaluation of other relevant policy aspects and alternatives as perceived by the stakeholders: the introduction of an electronic PP, the provisions of distance contracts, the changes related to Regulated Non-Quarantine Pests (RNQPs) regarding the new PP requirements, and the implementation of the new rules on pre-export certificates. This report is drafted for the preparation of the report to the European Parliament and to the Council according to the legislative obligation of the Commission laid down in Article 79(6) of the Plant Health Regulation (EC 2016/2031).
This technical report assesses the policy and economic impact of the provision of the specific import measures included in the New Plant Health Regulation Regulation (EU) 2016/2031. To this end a ...survey of different EU stakeholders was carried out i.e. Certification CAs, NPPOs, operators, MS-level and EU-wide associations, and non-EU NPPOs. The survey was answered by 103 respondents from 60 different countries. Results show the stakeholders' views on the specific import requirements for regulated non-quarantine pests and the requests for prior notification from non-EU countries when planning to export specific commodities to the EU, and the provisions for adopting measures in case of newly identified risks. In addition, it reports information on costs and benefits of the change in fees charged by NPPOs to operators and the number of inspections carried out. This report is one of four reports drafted for the preparation of the report to the European Parliament and to the Council according to the legislative obligation of the Commission laid down in Article 50 of the Plant Health Regulation (EC 2016/2031).
This technical report assesses the policy of the import prohibitions included in the New Plant Health Regulation Regulation (EU) 2016/2031, and their economic impact. For this purpose, a survey of ...various EU stakeholders i.e. Certification CAs, NPPOs, operators, MS-level and EU-wide associations, and non-EU NPPOs was carried out. The survey was answered by 92 respondents from 52 different countries. The results show the views of the stakeholders on the cost and benefits as well as the performance of provisions regarding imports from non-EU countries. In particular, it focuses on the implementation of the High risk plants, plant products, and other objects as well as the provisions for quarantine pests and plants, plant products and other objects used for official testing, scientific, and educational purposes, varietal selection and breeding, and quarantine stations. It also includes an analysis of publicly available data regarding trade and interceptions to estimate the impact that the changes in legislation have had on imports of plants and plant products. This report is one of four reports prepared for the preparation of the report to the European Parliament and to the Council according to the legislative obligation of the European Commission laid down in Article 50 of the Plant Health Regulation (EC 2016/2031).
This technical report assesses the policy and economic impact of the provision of the Official Control Regulation (OCR) relating to imports into the Union territory. To this end a survey was held of ...different EU stakeholders i.e. custom authorities, NPPOs, operators, MS-level and EU-wide associations, and non-EU NPPOs. The survey was answered by 65 respondents from 21 different EU countries. This report includes an analysis of changes to the OCR Regulation carried out by DG SANTE and a cost-benefit analysis thereof, carried out by JRC. Results show the stakeholders' views on the cost and benefits as well as the performance of the changes introduced to plant health provisions of the Official Controls Regulation. In particular it focuses on how the changes have affected the number of border control posts and control points, the impact of the requirements related to controls on wood packaging material, inspections for goods in transit and post-import inspections for pests in dormant stage. It also reviews how the TRACES NT system supports the implementation of the Regulation and how the provisions for E-commerce and passenger luggage are being put in place. This report is one of four reports drafted for the preparation of the report to the European Parliament and to the Council according to the legislative obligation of the European Commission laid down in Article 50 of the Plant Health Regulation (EC 2016/2031).
This report constitutes a technical analysis of the responses to the phytosanitary certificate (PC) questionnaire concerning import measures under the new Plant health Legislation as provided by ...several stakeholders. The questionnaire - sent in February 2021 - was answered by 126 respondents including National Plant Protection Organisations (NPPOs), certification Competent Authorities (CAs), operators, associations, and the general public in 24 different EU Member States, and NPPOs in 24 different non-EU countries. This report includes an analysis of policy aspects related to the effectiveness and enforcement of the import measures addressed in the questionnaire, carried out by DG SANTE, and a cost benefit analysis of those measures carried out by the JRC. Results show the stakeholders' views on the costs and benefits of the extension of the PC requirement to cover newly regulated commodities Appendix XI - Part B of Regulation (EU) 2019/2072. The results also include the evaluation of other relevant policy aspects and alternatives as perceived by the stakeholders - the possibility of PC exemption for more commodities, the possibility of using the CHED-PP (Common Health Entry Document-Plant Products) for the newly regulated commodities, the electronic certification, and the certification use in e-commerce. This report is one of four reports drafted for the preparation of the report to the European Parliament and to the Council according to the legislative obligation of the Commission laid down in Article 50 of the Plant Health Regulation (EC 2016/2031).
Invasive Alien Species (IAS) constitute one of the main drivers of biodiversity loss globally. Citizen Science (CS) can play a role in influencing the way in which society values biodiversity and can ...contribute by collecting valuable data. The involvement of the public in IAS recording through CS initiatives using innovative smartphone applications (apps) already complement several existing official surveillance systems in EU Member States. However, the quality of data may hinder the use of CS data for early warning, management and control of IAS. The Joint Research Centre has developed a smartphone app called "Invasive Alien Species in Europe" (JRC IAS app), allowing users to report the presence of IAS of Union concern (EU Regulation 1143/2014) in Europe. The JRC Proof of Concept project "CS data supporting IAS policy in Europe" aims at consolidating the framework for CS IAS data in Europe. Towards this objective, it explores automated solutions for validation of IAS records from the JRC IAS app. The current report includes the description of available tools for IAS validation. Information on currently applied validation strategies and mechanisms was retrieved from existing CS portals. The report describes aspects of data quality in European and global CS portals and how validation of IAS records is carried out. In addition, a refined validation procedure for the JRC IAS app is proposed, taking into account specific taxa and the applicability of methods and tools that are used in similar portals and projects. Further development of a refined validation procedure is expected to increase the quality of the data for science, policy and management, to improve the feedback to and engagement of volunteer recorders, to assist data validators in performing record checks, and eventually to increase the use of the JRC IAS app.
The EU Regulation 1143/2014/EC (IAS Regulation) recognizes the need for a coordinated set of actions to prevent, control and mitigate Invasive Alien Species (IAS) in Europe. The IAS Regulation gives ...priority to a list of species, named as IAS of Union concern. The current report defines an EU baseline of spatial distribution for the 18 species added to the Union list in 2019, based on the assessment of data aggregated through the European Alien Species Information Network (EASIN) in collaboration with the Competent Authorities of 16 EU Member States. The report also provides species traits, which have a key role in biological invasions management. For each IAS, the year and country of first introduction in the EU, the main pathway of introduction, the taxonomic group, the habitat, the origin, and the impact are given. The distribution baseline has revealed that most IAS have been introduced and spread across western EU countries, while their presence is more limited in eastern MS. Several species are already quite widespread across the EU (e.g. Lepomis gibbosus, Ailanthus altissima), other are still rare (e.g. Andropogon virginicus, Arthurdendyus triangulatus) or are completely absent from the EU (Lespedeza cuneata, Lygodium japonicum, Plotosus lineatus, Cortaderia jubata). Most IAS were primarily introduced in the EU through escapes linked with introduction for ornamental purposes, and aquarium trade before the 1950's. Most of them originate from East Asia. This baseline constitutes an important tool supporting the implementation of the IAS Regulation.
Traditional knowledge, including genetic resources of living organisms, especially plants, plays an extremely important role also in the development of modern science and present-day industry. This ...prompts us to consider the need, scope, and model of legal protection for such knowledge, both for the needs of the communities that create and cultivate it and for the wider public good. The present article includes an analysis of international legal regulations concerning the protection of traditional knowledge, with particular emphasis on the knowledge related to genetic resources, as well as legal works in this field. The considerations cover issues related to the development of the conceptual framework of such legal norms and the foundations of the legal protection of traditional knowledge, in particular the arguments concerning the need for such protection. The article also presents the basic types of intellectual property rights that can be the basis for legal protection of traditional knowledge.
PDF