Great Britain Coordination
GB Coordination involves the GB Non-native Species Coordinating Mechanism, which consists of a Programme Board, Secretariat, Risk Analysis Panel, Stakeholder Forum and Working Groups. The Programme Board and key stakeholders interact via working groups and the annual stakeholder forum; this is facilitated by the Secretariat and its website. The remits and aims of the individual constituents of the mechanism are summarised below (for full details use the links on the left):
The diagram below shows how the GB co-ordinating mechanism works and whom members of the Programme Board represent:
Programme Board
The Programme Board was established in March 2005 to deliver strategic consideration of the threat of invasive non-native species across GB. The Programme Board is made up of senior representatives from across GB Administrations and their agencies, exercising responsibility in their own areas and as representatives of wider interests and it is supported by an independent Secretariat.
Non-native Species Secretariat
The Non-native Species Secretariat was set up in March 2006. The main duties of the Secretariat are to support the actions and to undertake a programme of work to meet the aims of the Programme Board. The Secretariat is the focal point for communication and co-ordination between the Programme Board, Working Groups and stakeholders.
The Stakeholder Forum
The Stakeholder Forum is usually an annual meeting of a large group of stakeholder representatives from all sectors. The aim of the Forum is to give relevant stakeholders the opportunity to comment and provide feedback on the progress of non-native species issues in GB.
Risk Analysis Panel
The Non-native Species Risk Anaysis Panel (NNRAP) is a core group of risk assessment experts who provide advice on risk associated with non-native species and pathways.
Stakeholder Sounding Board
The Sounding Board is a group of key stakeholder representatives who will be consulted to provide early feedback on a range of issues such as proposed legislative and policy changes.
Working Groups
Working groups are established by the secreteriat on behalf of the Programme Board as and when required to examine specific issues or to deliver specified outcomes.
Media and Communications Working Group
This working group has been tasked with producing a Media and Communications Strategy by December 2008 for the consideration of the Programme Board.
Rapid Response Working Group
This working group has been assigned the task of drafting a proposal for the Programme Board on establishing a process for implementing rapid responses against non-native species.
Strategy Working Group
The Programme Board set up a Strategy Working Group to develop a strategy for dealing with non-native species in GB. The Invasive Non-native Species Framework Strategy for GB was launched on 28th May 2008 as well as an Implementation Plan. The Strategy WG has members from government and non-government organisations.