beth macneil

Invasive Alien Species: 

Invasive Alien Species Towards a National Policy Framework in Canada April 29, 2003

Discussion Outline: 

Discussion Outline Context Progress to Date Thematic Working Groups - status “Calls” for Action/Focus of Attention Major Elements of the Framework Work to Date: Aquatics, Plants and Animals Early Thoughts on Criteria Key Policy Issues Broad Timeline/Next Steps

Invasive Alien Species - what are they?: 

Invasive Alien Species - what are they? Alien species are: species of plants and animals and other organisms introduced outside their natural past or present distribution Not necessarily from outside Canada Invasive alien species are: those alien species that thrive in their new location and threaten the environment, economy, or society

Invasive Alien Species - so what?: 

Invasive Alien Species - so what? Potential Impacts: Disease, parasitism, predation, competition, and hybridization Threat to/loss of biodiversity Ecosystems (Great Lakes, Queen Charlotte Islands, Garry Oak); habitats (wetlands); and species (up to 25% of Species at Risk) Threat to/loss within economic resource sectors forestry, agriculture, fisheries, power generation, and others Cumulative costs for 12 species alone is $5.5 billion Potential for disease transmission to wildlife and humans West Nile Virus, Chronic Wasting Disease and E-botulism Invasive Animals and Wildlife Disease is on two tracks in Canada

Nature of the Issue: 

Nature of the Issue Globalization - increasing global trade and travel is increasing the rate of invasion Pathways of invasion are both intentional & unintentional Costs of invasion are largely external & unequally distributed across society Ecological changes resulting from invasion are often irreversible & ignored by governments Prevention is generally more cost effective than control or eradication

Progress to Date - What have we been doing?: 

Progress to Date - What have we been doing? identified as a priority for action under the CBS by joint meeting of resource Ministers (Sept 2001) multi-stakeholder national workshop (Nov 2001) results of recommendations became the Blueprint for a national plan (outlines strategic goals, principles and elements to respond to the challenge of invasive alien species) “Blueprint” presented and approved by resource ministers (Sept 2002) federal stocktaking exercise - legislation, polices and programs (winter/spring 2003) four thematic working groups have been established (winter/spring 2003)

``Blueprint`` for a National Plan: 

``Blueprint`` for a National Plan Three long-term results outlined in the Blueprint: manage intentional and prevent unintentional or accidental introductions of invasive alien species; detect and respond rapidly to new invaders; and eradicate, contain or control invasives that become established or spread. The strategies to achieve these results include: integrate environmental considerations into decision-making; co-ordinate responses to new invasions and pathways; and strengthen programs to protect natural resources under pressure from increased global trade and travel.

Thematic Working Groups - status : 

Thematic Working Groups - status four working groups established Leadership and Co-ordination (Environment Canada) Aquatic Invasives (Fisheries and Oceans/ Province of Ontario) Terrestrial Plants (Canadian Food Inspection Agency/Province of Ontario) Terrestrial Animals (Environment Canada)

“Calls” for Action (independent of the CBD/CBS): 

“Calls” for Action (independent of the CBD/CBS) International Joint Commission (IJC)11th Biennial Report (Sept 2002) Commissioner on Environment and Sustainable Development Invasive Species Audit Chapter (CESD) (Oct 2002) Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans (March 2003) Request from the US regarding a co-operative program of action (Nov 2002/April 2003) Co-operative lobbying by OFAH, GLFC and IJC (on going) Trilateral Committee on Wildlife Conservation (April 2003)

Focus of Attention: 

Focus of Attention “Collective” primary issues of concern from the IJC, CESD, SCoFO and the US: ballast water accountability for the issue within the federal government need for concrete actions now

The Plan - momentum, achieving early results and a policy and management framework: 

The Plan - momentum, achieving early results and a policy and management framework Achieving Early Results ballast water (national guidelines, regulations for Great Lakes and St Lawrence River and international regulations) emerald ash borer live fish and aquarium trade Policy and Management Framework will address plants, animals and aquatics in a broad context will articulate accountabilities will help Ministers/Departments identify priority pathways, principles for priority setting and species for immediate action will accommodate regional variability/priorities

Major Elements of the National Policy and Management Framework: 

Major Elements of the National Policy and Management Framework Leadership & Co-ordination (including international co-operation) Legislation, Policies and Programs Prevention Risk Analysis Early Detection & Rapid Response Eradication, containment and Control Restoration Taxonomy/diagnostics Research Monitoring Data and information Management Awareness and Education Stewardship

Aquatic Invasive Species: 

Aquatic Invasive Species Thematic Working Group formed under the Cdn Council of Fisheries and Aquaculture Ministers (CCFAM) Objectives with regard to aquatic invasive species: adopt a pathway approach incorporate the full spectrum of aquatic organisms identify priorities on a national scale co-ordinate activities across sectors and jurisdictions contribute to the national initiative led by Transport Canada to reduce introductions through ballast water and sediments involve stakeholders in establishing priorities and implementing solutions

Aquatic Invasive Species Pathways: 

Aquatic Invasive Species Pathways Priority Pathways of Invasion shipping, including ballast water live food industry bait recreational boating aquarium and horticulture trade unauthorized fish transfer (i.e., illegal stocking)

Invasive Plants - “Work in Progress”: 

Invasive Plants - “Work in Progress” Objective: the national policy framework and management plan will include the identification and assessment of priority invasive plants and invasives that impact plant (e.g., insects) Invasive alien plants weeds e.g., noxious Invasives that Impact Plants plant pathogens/viruses fungi nematodes insects

Invasive Plants - Priority Pathways: 

Invasive Plants - Priority Pathways agricultural crops nursery stock restoration/remediation ornamentals/seedlings packing materials commodities: seed, forage, food produce, grains/birdseed, wood products spread/movement (e.g. wind, water, livestock - incl. transboundary) hitchhikers on transport aquarium trade soil/sod/gravel escapes from research, botanical gardens, etc. travel & tourism (incl. baggage) Internet & mail order

Invasive Animals - “Work in Progress”: 

Invasive Animals - “Work in Progress” Invasive species that are animals and invasives that impact animals (including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, insects, bacteria and viruses) With regard to viruses, the scope is limited to viruses that harm animals, excluding humans Types of “harm” habitat-related (need to define harm to habitat...who does this?) human-related (e.g., SARS...primarily under mandate of health agencies) wildlife-related (e.g., disease...West Nile Virus) is the animal the vector (cause) or the recipient of the harm?

Invasive Animals - Priority Pathways: 

Invasive Animals - Priority Pathways Pathways currently under consideration include: natural spread (wind, water vectors, carrier animals) Importation...animals of concern for research purposes (including bacteria, viruses) transportation (air, sea, rail, road) pet trade/ zoo trade/ game farm trade illegal importation livestock (agriculture) fur farming species introduced for hunting, fur harvest or subsistence use (species are often considered to be 'naturalized' e.g. moose in NFLD) travel/tourism

Invasive Animals - Wild Species 2000: 

Invasive Animals - Wild Species 2000 “Exotic” Birds: American black duck, California quail, chukar, crested myna (now extirpated ?), eurasian collared dove, eurasian tree sparrow, european starling, gray partridge, house finch, house sparrow, mute swan, northern bobwhilte, ring-necked pheasant, rock dove, rock ptarmigan, ruffed grouse, sharp-tailed grouse, sky lark, spruce grouse, wild turkey, willow ptarmigan

Invasive Animals - Wild Species 2000 cont’d: 

Invasive Animals - Wild Species 2000 cont’d “Exotic”Terrestrial Mammals: bison (?), arctic hare, black rat, cape hare, common raccoon, deer mouse, eastern chipmunk, eastern cottontail, eastern fox squirrel, eastern gray squirrel, european bank vole, european rabbit, fallow deer, feral cat, horse, house mouse, masked shrew, mink, moose, norway rat, nutria, red squirrel, snowshoe hare, southern red-backed vole, striped skunk, virginia opossum “Exotic” Terrestrial reptiles: common wall lizard, eastern box turtle “Exotic” Amphibians: American toad, bullfrog, green frog, wood frog

Early Thoughts on Priority Setting Criteria: 

Early Thoughts on Priority Setting Criteria setting priorities for prevention rapid response eradication, containment and control identify high risk species & pathways/vectors risk assessment: environmental, economic & human health impacts cost-benefit analysis quick hits/high probability of success acceptability of management measures successes elsewhere species not widely distributed

Key Policy Issues to be Addressed: 

Key Policy Issues to be Addressed trade issues precautionary approach risk assessment/analysis decision making enforcement, compliance, monitoring alternative/acceptable treatments & management access to proprietary information lead agencies & accountabilities survey co-ordination

Broad Timeline for Canada: 

Broad Timeline for Canada Aide Memoire (June) draft policy framework and priorities presented to Ministers (September 2003) including priority pathways, species, areas requiring immediate attention and associated accountabilities for Ministers to make decisions and select priorities develop priority policy/legislative options (Fall 2003)