More than 300 rapid eradication actions have been carried out across the EU, with nearly two thirds proving successful — yet invasive alien species continue to spread and new introductions remain likely, shows a European Environment Agency (EEA) briefing published today.
Invasive alien species — non-native plants, animals and other organisms introduced outside their natural range that cause harm to biodiversity and ecosystems — remain present across all EU Member States, according to the EEA briefing ‘Recent progress in managing invasive alien species in the EU’. The findings show real progress in tackling these species, but also the scale of the challenge that remains.
The briefing summarises national reporting for the 2019–2024 period on 87 species designated as invasive alien species of Union concern — those whose spread requires coordinated action across Europe.
A problem concentrated in cities and transport hubs
Invasive species are not evenly distributed. Hotspots cluster in densely populated areas, along rivers and near major transport hubs such as harbours, and numbers are generally higher in southern and western Europe. The most widespread species in the environment are the following:
- pond slider (Trachemys scripta), reported by 26 Member States
- tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus altissima), reported by 24 Member States
- Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera), reported by 23 Member States
- signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus), reported by 22 Member States
- pumpkinseed (Lepomis gibbosus), reported by 22 Member States
- giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum), reported by 21 Member States
Map 1. Hotspots of IAS distribution in the EU
Swift action is working
Where invasive species do arrive, acting fast makes a difference. During the reporting period, 23 Member States carried out more than 300 rapid eradication actions — 60% of which were fully, partially or temporarily successful. This is a marked increase from the 14 Member States that took such measures in the previous reporting period. More than 4,200 longer-term management measures were also implemented, with more than half successfully reducing harm to biodiversity.
More to do
EU Regulation 1143/2014 aims to prevent, minimise and mitigate the adverse impacts of invasive alien species on biodiversity and ecosystems within the European Union. Reported data from Member States show that significant progress has been made in the implementation of the Regulation, particularly for early warning and rapid response measures and the pathway action plan obligations.
Despite these results, invasive alien species continue to spread across the EU and new arrivals remain likely. The EEA briefing concludes that increased effort is needed, above all to contain species that are already widespread.
