Consultation outcome

Invasive alien species: management measures for widely spread species in England and Wales

This consultation has concluded

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Detail of outcome

3 June 2020: We received 722 responses to this consultation. The Invasive Alien Species (Enforcement and Permitting) Order 2019 came in to force on 1 December 2019.

The Enforcement Order requires management measures to be put in place for widely spread species of Union Concern. These management measures seek to minimise the effect these species have on biodiversity, related ecosystem services, human health or the economy.

Feedback received

Interim response

Detail of feedback received

19 December 2019: Interim response updated on the management of Signal Crayfish in England.

1 November 2019: A summary of consultation responses and the government response to the consultation was due to be published by mid-November 2019. In the light of the recent decision to hold a general election and the associated pre-election period we are unable to publish these until after the new UK government has been formed.

Defra and the Welsh Government are therefore issuing this statement setting out their joint position ahead of the Enforcement Order coming into force on 1 December.


Original consultation

Summary

Seeking views on proposed management measures for invasive alien species (also known as invasive non-native species) which are widely spread in England and Wales.

This consultation was held on another website.

This consultation ran from
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Consultation description

We want to know what you think about our plans for managing invasive alien species (IAS) which are widely spread in England and Wales. These plans set out how we will effectively manage these species as required in The Invasive Alien Species (Enforcement and Permitting) Order 2019.

The 14 species identified as being widely spread in England and Wales and requiring management are:

  • Plants

    • Nuttall’s waterweed (Elodea nuttallii)
    • Chilean rhubarb (Gunnera tinctoria)
    • Giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum)
    • Floating pennywort (Hydrocotyle ranunculoides)
    • Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera)
    • Curly waterweed (Lagarosiphon major)
    • American skunk cabbage (Lysichiton americanus)
    • Parrot’s feather (Myriophyllum aquaticum)
  • Animals

    • Egyptian goose (Alopochen aegyptiacus)
    • Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis)
    • Muntjac deer (Muntiacus reevesi)
    • Signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus)
    • Grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis)
    • all subspecies of (Trachemys scripta) otherwise known as “slider terrapins”
Published 18 July 2019
Last updated 3 June 2020 + show all updates
  1. Summary of responses added.

  2. Interim response updated on the management of Signal Crayfish in England to include the paragraphs: The Defra Biosecurity Minister is minded to allow the export of live Signal crayfish from licensed facilities in England to EU and non-EU countries. This will only be allowed to countries where it is legal to import live Signal crayfish. It does not include movement into other parts of the UK. This commercial exploitation of live signal crayfish will be temporarily allowed under licence for 2 years, subject to review. This is a transitional arrangement to allow time for investment in live sale alternatives. These include processing facilities, processing methods (such as fresh-freeze), and the development of alternatives markets.

  3. Added an interim response to this consultation.

  4. First published.