Trading risks: How to combat the spread of invasive alien species?

17h30-19h30

Organised in collaboration with the
Global Invasive Species Programme (GIPS)

The spread of invasive alien species has now been recognised as one of the greatest threats to the ecological and economic well-being of the planet. These species are causing enormous damage to biodiversity and the valuable natural agricultural system upon which we depend.

Direct and indirect health effects are increasingly serious and the damage to nature is often irreversible. The effects are exacerbated by global change and chemical and physical disturbance to species and ecosystems. Continuing globalisation, with increasing trade, travel and transport of goods across borders, has facilitated the spread of invasive alien species with increasing negative impacts.

Even though only a small percentage of species that are moved across borders become invasive, these may have extensive impacts. These effects can be devastating; studies in the US and India show that the economic costs of invasive alien species in these countries amount to approximately USD 130 billion per year.

The problem is global in scope and requires international cooperation to supplement the actions of governments, economic sectors and individuals at the national and local levels. Significant progress was made at the last meeting of the Conference of the parties to the Convention on Biodiversity with the adoption of 15 Guiding Principles for the prevention, introduction and mitigation of the impacts of alien species that threaten ecosystems, habitats or species.

Concerns, however, persist that measures implemented to combat invasive alien species might not be admissible under rules of the World Trade Organization or might be used as protectionist measure to protect domestic markets.

The meeting aims to provide a platform for exchanging ideas of how to best address the growing threat posed by the threat of invasive species through measures at the international, regional and national levels. At the same time the meeting will assess how to deal with possible impacts on international trade, focusing in particular on developing countries and how such measures might impact on their competitiveness and access to industrialised countries' markets.

Questions to be addressed include:

• Which factors contribute to the spread of invasive alien species and how could they best be addressed?
• What is the role of international standard-setting bodies, such as the International Plant Protection Convention, in combating the spread of invasive alien species?
• How can the highest level of protection be ensured while avoiding the use of measures as disguised barriers to trade?
• How could governments and development organisations be encouraged to tackle the issue?