Transcript WEME Conservation Management Team

Be Plant Wise
John Kelly
Overview
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Introduction
Legislation
Some species of concern
Horticulture Code of Good Practice
Be Plant Wise
Spot the Alien
Timetable for the Be Plant Wise launch
What is an 'invasive species'?
'invasive'
'biodiversity'
'exotic'
'naturalized'
'impact'
'eco-system'
'species'
'native'
'non-native'
'nuisance species'
'alien'
'eco-system services'
'pest'
In summary…
Alien = exotic = introduced = non-native
Invasive = pest = nuisance species
The Bigger Picture
Second biggest threat to biodiversity worldwide
- Biggest threat on islands
“The most important direct drivers of biodiversity
loss and ecosystem service changes are habitat
change …, climate change, invasive alien
species, overexploitation, and pollution.”
Millennium Ecosystem Assessment report
Counting the Cost
Invasive Species cost the European economy €12.7 billion/year
• Estimated in the UK at £1.7bn
Compare with:
• Australia - £6.5bn
• Brazil - £25bn
• India - £58bn
• USA - £71bn, and
• South Africa - £3.5bn
Legislation in ROI
• The European Communities (Birds and Natural
Habitats) Regulations 2011
– Regulation 49. Prohibition on introduction and
dispersal of certain species
– Regulation 50. Prohibition on dealing with and
keeping certain species
Keith Hiscock
ISSG
Damien Offer
Julia Nunn
Roy Anderson
ISSG
Inland Fisheries Ireland
Inland Fisheries Ireland
Inland Fisheries Ireland
Inland Fisheries Ireland
GB Non-native Species Secretariat
Controlling Invasive Species
Key Target Audiences
Horticulture Code of Good Practice
•
•
•
•
Background
Aims and Status of this Code of Good Practice
Target audience
Geographic coverage
Limit the spread of invasive species
• Avoid further spread of known invasive
species
• Be aware of relevant legislation
• Dispose of waste responsibly
Guidance for buyers and importers
• Carry out a quick risk assessment of new
species
Suppliers, retailers and purchasers
• Know what you are growing and buying
• Be aware of hitch-hiking pests on plants and in
soil
• Provide alternatives to invasive species
• Provide advice on disposal: Be Plant Wise
• Label plants clearly and accurately
– Trades Description Acts
• Promote your compliance with this Code of Good
Practice
Control of invasive species
• Take advice on the best control techniques
• Control invasive non-native plants safely
Partnership marketing
• Engagement with retail sector
– trusted intermediaries
– influence gardeners on our behalf
• Participating in the campaign helps them be
seen as responsible retailers
• Cost effective
Sourcing Plants
Other
(base: ‘Gardeners’; n=416)
4
Brought plants/cuttings etc home when I've been on holiday
abroad
3
From a website
3
From wild plants from my local area (eg taking cuttings,
uprooting)
5
Aquatic shop/centre
5
Mail order/catalogue
6
Supermarket
21
Retail nursery
22
Market/market stall/farmer's market
25
Been given them by friends/relatives
32
DIY Store (eg B&Q, Homebase etc)
48
Garden Centre
32
78
0
10
20
30
40
50
%
60
70
80
90
100
Sources of Information about Plants
(base: ‘Gardeners’; n=416)
By some other source of information/advice
1
Gardening organisations such as RHS, Kew Gardens etc
3
Newspapers
8
Internet
9
Gardening magazines
13
Information on seed packets
15
I don't use any information or advice when buying plants
16
Gardening books
16
Gardening programmes on TV/radio
20
Staff in Garden Centres, nurseries etc
33
Friends/relatives
44
Labels on plants
33
47
0
10
20
30
40
50
%
60
70
80
90
100
Disposing of Plants
(base: ‘Gardeners’; n=416)
Burn them
4 respondents admitted to disposing of
plants into the wild
3
2 admitted to planting them in the wild
1 admitted to putting aquatic plants
into a pond, river or lake
Take them to the tip/refuse dump
12
Put them in the dustbin/waste bin
13
Compost them
40
Put them in the council garden waste
340
60
10
20
30
40
50
%
60
70
80
90
100
Time table
• Public Launch – Thursday 8th of March
– Horticulture Code of Good Practice
– Be Plant Wise: primary focus!