EASIN - European Alien Species Information Network
Raising awareness on Invasive Alien Species in Europe: codes of conduct and guidelines
Invasive alien species (IAS) have been identified as one of the most important direct drivers of biodiversity loss and change in ecosystem services.
Invasive alien species (IAS) have been identified as one of the most important direct drivers of biodiversity loss and change in ecosystem services. Several strategies have been developed and implemented to deal with IAS (e.g. eradication, control, containment) yet prevention is unanimously acknowledged as the best available management option, when feasible. Thus, once the main pathways are identified, controlling the key entry routes is considered the most effective way of tackling the threats from IAS.
In this context, the Council of Europe, basing its work on the Bern Convention and with the technical support of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Invasive Species Specialist Group, has drafted a series of voluntary instruments (codes of conduct and guidelines) covering a number of industries and activities potentially responsible for the introduction of alien species. The development of these instruments can play an important role in building awareness among the relevant sectors of society.
