On February 2nd, the raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides) officially became an invasive alien species of Union Concern.
On February 2nd, the raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides) officially became an invasive alien species of Union Concern. Native to South-eastern Siberia, the raccoon dog was first introduced in northern Europe during the 20th century for hunting and fur and since it has spread and established in several Member States. With its inclusion, the list of invasive alien species of Union concern includes 49 species. Other alien species in Europe are currently under scrutiny for listing. Union level action will include a ban on keeping and selling, early detection, rapid eradication of newly establishing populations and containment of the invasion.
For more information:
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2107/1263: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/…
How an alien species become of Union concern: https://easin.jrc.ec.europa.eu/easin/NewsAndEvents/DetailNews/72d307b6-27fe-487c-9498-f47a531d502f
CABI factsheet: https://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/72656
Picture: © Karlakas 2009 [CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)]