A European Early Warning and Rapid Response System of invasive alien species

Abstract

An Early Warning and Rapid Response System (EWRRS) has been designed by the European Alien Species Information Network (EASIN) and is now under development, to support the new European Regulation on the prevention and management of the introduction and spread of invasive alien species (IAS). According to this EWRRS, member states (MS) should report new populations of IAS of Union concern detected on their territory directly to EASIN through a notification protocol for early detection, which includes contact details, information on the detection (species, date, type of detection, confirming authority, related surveillance system, number of individuals, invaded area, assessment of establishment status, pathway information), and geographical information. This will lead to an Early Warning of the Commission and other MS by EASIN through a notification protocol for early warning. Once an early warning has been issued, the affected MS needs to establish eradication measures which should be notified to EASIN through a notification protocol for eradication measures. Through EASIN, this notification will be forwarded to the Commission, and it will also be made publicly available. Finally, MS should also submit to EASIN a notification when the eradication programme has been successfully completed through a notification protocol on the completion of eradication. Through EASIN, such notifications will be forwarded to the Commission and the information will be made publicly available. It should also be possible for MS to share through EASIN information about the effectiveness of the measures taken. All the information gathered by EASIN will be included in species-specific factsheets created by EASIN and made publicly available.