Reducing the risk of invasive forest pests and pathogens: Combining legislation, targeted management and public awareness.

Maartje J Klapwijk,Marc Kenis,Martin Schroeder,Louise Eriksson,Anna J M Hopkins,Jonas Rönnberg,Maria Pettersson,E Carina H Keskitalo,Åke Lindelöw

doi:10.1007/s13280-015-0748-3

Abstract

Intensifying global trade will result in increased numbers of plant pest and pathogen species inadvertently being transported along with cargo. This paper examines current mechanisms for prevention and management of potential introductions of forest insect pests and pathogens in the European Union (EU). Current European legislation has not been found sufficient in preventing invasion, establishment and spread of pest and pathogen species within the EU. Costs associated with future invasions are difficult to estimate but past invasions have led to negative economic impacts in the invaded country. The challenge is combining free trade and free movement of products (within the EU) with protection against invasive pests and pathogens. Public awareness may mobilise the public for prevention and detection of potential invasions and, simultaneously, increase support for eradication and control measures. We recommend focus on commodities in addition to pathways, an approach within the EU using a centralised response unit and, critically, to engage the general public in the battle against establishment and spread of these harmful pests and pathogens.

Highlights

Pest and pathogen invasions are closely linked to global trade in plants for planting and wood products; this trade has greatly intensified in recent decades (Shirley and Kark 2006; Westphal et al 2008)
We focus on invasive pests and pathogens (IPPs) affecting forestry and wood trade, wood products and plants in the European Union (EU); legislative complexities regarding prevention, interception and control within the EU; possibilities to centralise management responsibility and the role of public awareness for control programmes
IPP control could be improved by shifting the regulatory focus from protection against specific invasive species towards securing commodities and potential invasion pathways; centralising responsibility for standardised implementation of EU legislation and raising public awareness

Summary

INTRODUCTION

Pest and pathogen invasions are closely linked to global trade in plants for planting and wood products; this trade has greatly intensified in recent decades (Shirley and Kark 2006; Westphal et al 2008). Invasive species are often divided into two categories: (1) species that pose threats to ecosystems by altering species composition, and (2) species that pose a threat to human interest, mostly economically. The latter are referred to as invasive pests and pathogens (IPPs) and are the focus of this paper. That over 100 scientists have signed the Montesclaros Declaration, which calls ‘‘to phase out all trade in plants and plant products determined to be of high risk to forested ecosystems but of low overall benefit’’1 recognising the ineffectiveness of the current. We focus on IPPs affecting forestry and wood trade, wood products and plants in the European Union (EU); legislative complexities regarding prevention, interception and control within the EU; possibilities to centralise management responsibility and the role of public awareness for control programmes

BACKGROUND

DISCUSSION

CONCLUSION