The Great Britain Invasive Non-native Species Strategy

Chapter 1 - Introduction and scope1. In 2008, the Invasive Non-native Species Framework Strategy for Great Britain waspublished. It included a recommendation for evaluation every five years. The firstreview commenced in 2013 and included six workshops with stakeholders andpublic consultation on the review’s interim findings. Two international experts werealso commissioned to review the Strategy from an international perspective. Thisupdated Strategy is the output of that review process.2. This Strategy aims to address invasive non-native species (INNS) issues in GreatBritain (GB), maintaining the approach of the 2008 Strategy and the 2003 policyreview. The Strategy covers the terrestrial, freshwater and marine environmentsand also species native to one part of a country that become invasive in areasoutside their natural range. The term ‘non-native species’ (NNS) is used throughoutthis document and is the equivalent of ‘alien species’ as used by the Convention onBiological Diversity (CBD). INNS (the equivalent of 'invasive alien species' or ‘IAS’)are broadly defined as species whose introduction and/or spread threaten biologicaldiversity or have other unforeseen impacts.3. The scope of the Strategy covers all non-native species of flora and fauna with theexception of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), bacteria and viruses. Its fulleffect, however, is aimed at those non-native species that are known to be or arepotentially invasive. The Strategy does not aim to address issues related to humanhealth or formerly native species, nor does it cover animal or plant diseasesalthough it aims to ensure close working with these areas where appropriate.Our vision4. Our vision is that if this Strategy is fully implemented, biodiversity, quality of life andeconomic interests in GB will be better protected against the adverse impacts ofINNS because there will be:o widespread awareness and understanding of the risks and adverse impactsassociated with INNS, and greater vigilance against these;o integration of INNS within the broader biosecurity agenda;o a strong sense of shared responsibility across government, key stakeholderorganisations, land managers and the general public for action andbehaviour that will reduce the threats posed by INNS;o a guiding framework for national, regional and local mitigation, control oreradication initiatives helping to reduce the detrimental impact of INNS; and1