Group of experts on Invasive Alien Species (IAS)

Already in 1992 the Standing Committee to the Bern convention established a specialised "Group of experts on Invasive Alien Species". Acting under Article 11§2 of the convention the Group collected and analysed different national laws dealing with invasive species and proposed work aimed at the harmonisation of national regulations on introduced species, particularly on the fields of definitions, territorial scope of regulation, listing of species whose introduction is undesirable, identification of authorities responsible for permits, conditions for issuing such permits and control involved. One of the main products of the Group was the European Strategy on IAS, whose implementation is regularly monitored by the Group.
Since 2009 the Group has focussed its work on the identification and prioritisation of pathways, and started preparing targeted Codes of Conduct to address these. So far the Standing Committee has endorsed Codes of Conduct on IAS and activities such as horticulture, zoos and aquaria, botanic gardens, hunting, pets or recreational fishing. These codes of conduct are a useful tool for increasing awareness on the impact of IAS and federating the efforts of a wide range of stakeholders (including the business sector) through voluntary, sound and specific measures.
The group of experts meets every two years.
(Photo credit: GEIB)

11th Meeting of the Group of Experts on Invasive Alien Species (IAS)

Reports of past meetings
- Report of the 11th meeting - T-PVS(2015)10 - 4-5 June 2015, Triglav National Park (Slovenia)
- Summary of main conclusions - T-PVS/Inf(2014)03E - 7 March 2014, Roma (Italy)
- Report of the 10th meeting -T-PVS(2013)5 + 5add - 20-22 June 2013, Alghero (Italy)
- Report of the 9th meeting - T-PVS(2011)06 - 18-20 May 2011, St. Julians (Malta)
- Report of the 8th meeting - T-PVS(2009)08 - 5-7 May 2009, Brijuni (Croatia)
- Report of the 7th meeting - T-PVS(2007)09
- Report of the 6th meeting - T-PVS(2005)09
- Report of the 5th meeting - T-PVS(2003)06
- Report of the 4th meeting - T-PVS(2002)11
- Report of the 3rd meeting - T-PVS(1999)26
- Report of the 2nd meeting - T-PVS(1997)16
- Report of the 1st meeting - T-PVS(1995)30 [French only]
Publications
- European Code of Conduct on International Travel and Invasive Alien Species (2017)
- European Code of Conduct for Invasive Alien Trees (2017)
- European Code of Conduct on Horticulture and Invasive Alien Plants (2008) - Illustrated version (2011)
- European Code of Conduct on Pets and IAS (2011) - Illustrated version (2016)
- European Code of Conduct for Botanic Gardens on Invasive Alien Species (2012)
- European Code of Conduct on Zoological Gardens and Aquaria and IAS (2012) - Illustrated version (2016)
- European Code of Conduct on Hunting and IAS (2013) - Illustrated version (2016)
- European Guidelines on Protected Areas and IAS (2013) - Illustrated version (2014)
- European Code of Conduct on Recreational Fishing and IAS (2014)
- European Code of Conduct on Recreational Boating and IAS (2016)
- European Strategy on Invasive Alien Species (2003) - Illustrated version (2011)
- Methods to control and eradicate non-native terrestrial vertebrate species (Nature and environment No. 118) (2001)
- Introductions of non-native organisms into the natural environment (Nature and Environment No. 73) (1998)
- Introduction of non-native plants into the natural environment (Nature and Environment No. 87) (1998)
Recommendations
Reports and documents
- The Bern Convention and EU Regulation 1143/2014 on the Prevention and Management of the Introduction and Spread of Invasive Alien Species - T-PVS/Inf(2015)14E
- European Code of Conduct on Recreational Fishing and Invasive Alien Species - T-PVS/Inf(2014)18E
- European Guidelines on Protected Areas and IAS - T-PVS/Inf(2013)22E
- European Code of Conduct on Hunting and IAS - T-PVS/Inf(2013)20E
- European Code of Conduct for Botanic Gardens on Invasive Alien Species - T-PVS/Inf(2012)01E
- European Code of Conduct on Zoological Gardens and aquaria and Invasive Alien Species - T-PVS/Inf(2011)26E
- Code of Conduct on Pets and Invasive Alien Species (including ornamental fish) in Europe - T-PVS/Inf(2011)01revE
- Invasiveness of biofuel crops and potential harm to natural habitats and native species - T-PVS/Inf(2009)06E
- Bern Convention action on invasive alien species in Europe - T-PVS/Inf(2008)03E
- Updating the follow-up of the implementation of the European Strategy on Invasive Alien Species - T-PVS/Inf(2005)25
- Overview of existing international/regional mechanisms to ban or restrict trade in potentially invasive alien species - T-PVS/Inf(2006)08
- Identification of non-native freshwater fish established in Europe, assessing their potential threat to native biological diversity - T-PVS(2001)06
- Guidelines for the eradication of terrestrial vertebrates : a European contribution to the invasive alien species issue - T-PVS(2000)65rev
Publications in other languages



- On Conservation of Amphibians and Reptiles - Marine turtles
- On Conservation of Plants
- On Conservation of Birds
- On Conservation of Invertebrates
- On Protected Areas and Ecological Networks
- On Invasive Alien Species
- On Large Carnivores
- On Biodiversity and Climate Change
- On European Island Biological Diversity