Invasive Alien Species are animals and plants that are introduced accidently or deliberately into a natural environment where they are not normally found. They represent a serious threat to native plants and animals in Europe, causing €millions worth of damage every year.

Recognising the increasingly serious problem of invasive alien species in Europe, the Commission is currently working on a dedicated legislative instrument on Invasive Alien Species which is due to be adopted in 2012.  This is one of six key objectives of the new EU 2020 Biodiversity Strategy adopted in May 2011.

The European Commission is now seeking citizens' and stakeholders' views on the specific choices to be made when setting up dedicated legislation on invasive species. The consultation is open until 12 April 2012.

To find out more, follow this link:
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/invasivealien/index_en.htm