The GB Invasive Non-native Species Strategy (PDF) provides a strategic framework within which the actions of government departments, their related bodies and key stakeholders can be better co-ordinated. It was drafted by a working group comprising key stakeholders from industry, Non-Governmental Organisations and government.
View the 2015 GB Invasive Non-native Species Strategy:
Strategy review and update
The GB Strategy is reviewed and updated every five years. It is currently being updated, with the aim of publication in 2022. To support this process an independent review of the strategy was carried out in 2021. APEM Ltd have gathered stakeholder views on the implementation of the 2015 Strategy on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA), and in liaison with the Scottish and Welsh Government.
GB Invasive Non-native Species Strategy (2015) Review:
- English (PDF) APEM, 2021.
- Welsh (PDF) APEM, 2021.
Background to the development of the GB Invasive Non-native Strategy
The original strategy was published in 2008 in response to a policy review published in 2003, available below. A key recommendation of the review was to improve coordination and application of non-native species policy across government, which also led to the formation of the GB Non-native Species Mechanism. The strategy was updated in 2015 following extensive stakeholder consultation and reviews conducted by Piero Genovesi, Chair of the IUCN SSC Invasive Species Specialist Group and Dr Phil Hulme of Lincoln University, New Zealand. Previous versions of the strategy and the reviews undertaken are available below.
2003 Policy review:
- Review of Non-Native Species Policy (PDF), Defra 2003, and Annex (PDF)
2008 Strategy:
Independent review of the 2008 strategy:
- Review of the GB Framework Strategy for Invasive Non-native Species - Dr Piero Genovesi (PDF)
- Review of the GB Framework Strategy for Invasive Non-native Species - Dr Phil Hulme (PDF)
European strategy
The Bern Convention initiative for a European Strategy for Invasive Alien Species was developed in collaboration with the European Section of the IUCN Invasive Species Specialist Group in 2000 and was approved by the Bern Convention Standing Committee in 2003. The Strategy promotes the development and implementation of co-ordinated measures and co-operative efforts throughout Europe to prevent or minimise adverse impacts of invasive alien species on Europe's biodiversity, as well as their economic consequences and impacts on human health.
International policy and strategy
Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). This convention arose from the UN Conference on Environment and Development held in Rio in 1992. Within the framework of the convention there are 15 Guiding Principles for the prevention, introduction and mitigation of impacts of alien species that threaten ecosystems, habitats or species. The principles provide an international framework for governments and other organisations to develop effective strategies to prevent introduction, control and eradicate invasive non-native species. Article 8(h) states that each Contracting Party shall prevent the introduction of, control or eradicate those alien species which threaten ecosystems, habitats or species. Invasive alien species are also formally addressed in the Global Strategy on Plant Conservation.
2010 Target Contracting Parties to the CBD agreed to achieve by 2010 a significant reduction of the current rate of biodiversity loss at the global, regional and national level. In particular, one of the seven focal areas, area (c) refers to 'addressing the major threats to biodiversity, including those arising from invasive alien species, climate change, pollution, and habitat change'