Invasive species
Invasive alien species are plants, animals or micro-organisms (e.g. fungi) that are not native to our regions. Due to the free movement of people and goods, these species have spread outside their natural environment.
This can entail certain risks. Invasive alien species may:
- Damage local biodiversity, for example by taking over the space or food of native species, or by preying on these species;
- Transmit diseases;
- Be dangerous to human, animal and plant health;
- Cause economic damage.
What can you do?
BEFORE
- Buy native (or non-invasive exotic) plants and animals. Buy them at a specialist store, garden centre or water garden centre.
- Do not dispose of animals, plants or plant waste in the environment. Vegetable waste should be thrown on the compost heap or with Vegetable-Fruit-Garden waste. Animals must be given to a shelter or specialised dog home.
- You cannot simply bring any animal or plant into Belgium. Respect the rules of the Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain.
DURING
- In the case of invasive alien species, the government may set up a contact point where you can report cases of these plants, animals or fungi. You can report sightings of invasive alien species on the Stop aux espèces exotiques website of Wallonia. There are specific initiatives for certain invasive alien species, such as Vespa-Watch for the Asian hornet and Craywatch for invasive crayfish.
- Follow the recommendations of the authorities. You will be given good advice.
AFTER
No specific recommendations.
Impact and probability
The figures relating to probability and impact describe extreme invasive alien species. The BNRA theoretically describes such a scenario as follows:
- An invasive species on the EU's list of invasive alien species of Union concern spreads, with significant exposure and impact.
- It may be an alien species that is widespread in Belgium, colonising semi-natural ecosystems, having a major negative economic impact (e.g. damage to infrastructure), significantly affecting the health of humans, animals or plants (e.g. by emitting large quantities of allergenic pollen) and being very harmful to the environment.
How should you interpret these results?
Within the BNRA, experts assessed three scenarios for each risk: considerable, major or extreme. On each page, you will find the results of the scenario with the highest score based on the combination of likelihood and impact. This does not mean that this scenario will occur or is the most likely. Read more here about how to correctly interpret the results.
Probability
Moderate
Human impact
Weak
Societal impact
Weak
Environmental impact
Moderate
Financial impact
Weak
What do the authorities do?
A European regulation aimed at limiting the negative impact of invasive alien species has been in force since 2015. This regulation targets three aspects:
- Prevention: prevent invasive alien species from becoming established in our regions by, for example, prohibiting the trade or possession of these species.
- Rapid detection and response: thanks to a single point of contact, the authorities can quickly detect new invasive alien species or species of concern and react immediately.
- Management or reduction: manage or reduce the invasive alien species already present in our country.
In the context of environmental and animal welfare legislation, the regional authorities, the Federal Public Service for Health, Food Chain Safety and the Environment, and the Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain ensure compliance with these measures. Within the regional authorities, the fight against invasive alien species is the responsibility of:
- The Agency for Nature and Forests (Agentschap voor Natuur en Bos - Flanders)
- Brussels Environment
- WPS Agriculture, Natural Resources and the Environment
There is a partnership between all the relevant authorities. As such, the National Committee on IAS has been set up, along with a National Scientific Council and a National Scientific Secretariat.