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Species of Special Concern

The list of Species of Special Concern is one of the main ways we protect our environment, economy and people from harmful invasive species in GB.  The list applies across England, Scotland and Wales and is reviewed and amended at regular intervals.  This page provides more information on the process used to list and de-list species of Special Concern as well as information about species being considered for listing and de-listing.

The retained EU Regulation 1143/2014 applies to species on the list. Find out more about the retained regulation in England and Wales and in Scotland.

Jump to:

The List

Listing

De-listing

Other resources

The List

List of invasive non-native animals

Scientific name

Common name

When it was listed

Acridotheres tristis

Common myna

15-Aug-19

Alopochen aegyptiacus

Egyptian goose

02-Aug-17

Arthurdendyus triangulatus

New Zealand flatworm

15-Aug-19

Callosciurus erythraeus

Pallas’s squirrel

03-Aug-16

Corvus splendens

Indian house crow

03-Aug-16

Eriocheir sinensis

Chinese mitten crab

03-Aug-16

Herpestes javanicus

Small Asian mongoose / Javan mongoose

03-Aug-16

Lepomis gibbosus

Pumpkinseed

15-Aug-19

Lithobates (Rana) catesbeianus

North American bullfrog

03-Aug-16

Muntiacus reevesi

Muntjac deer

03-Aug-16

Myocastor coypus

Coypu

03-Aug-16

Nasua nasua

Coati

03-Aug-16

Nyctereutes procyonoides

Raccoon dog

02-Feb-19

Ondatra zibethicus

Muskrat

02-Aug-17

Orconectes limosus (Faxonius limosus)

Spiny-cheek crayfish

03-Aug-16

Orconectes virilis (Faxonius virilis)

Virile crayfish

03-Aug-16

Oxyura jamaicensis

Ruddy duck

03-Aug-16

Pacifastacus leniusculus

Signal crayfish

03-Aug-16

Percottus glenii

Chinese sleeper/Amur sleeper

03-Aug-16

Plotosus lineatus

Striped eel catfish

15-Aug-19

Procambarus clarkii

Red swamp crayfish

03-Aug-16

Procambarus fallax f. virginalis (Procambarus virginalis)

Marbled crayfish

03-Aug-16

Procyon lotor

Raccoon

03-Aug-16

Pseudorasbora parva

Topmouth gudgeon (also known as stone moroko)

03-Aug-16

Sciurus carolinensis

Grey squirrel

03-Aug-16

Sciurus niger

Fox squirrel

03-Aug-16

Tamias sibiricus

Siberian chipmunk

03-Aug-16

Threskiornis aethiopicus

Sacred ibis

03-Aug-16

Trachemys scripta

Terrapins - all subspecies including red-eared slider, yellow-bellied slider, Cumberland slider and common slider

03-Aug-16

Vespa velutina nigrithorax

Asian hornet

03-Aug-16

List of invasive non-native plants

Scientific name

Common name

Listing

Acacia saligna

Golden wreath wattle

15-Aug-19

Ailanthus altissima

Tree of Heaven

15-Aug-19

Alternanthera philoxeroides

Alligator weed

02-Aug-17

Andropogon virginicus

Broomsedge bluestem

15-Aug-19

Asclepias syriaca

Common milkweed

02-Aug-17

Baccharis halimifolia

Eastern baccharis

03-Aug-16

Cabomba caroliniana

Fanwort

03-Aug-16

Cardiospermum grandiflorum

Balloon vine

15-Aug-19

Cortaderia jubata

Purple pampas grass

15-Aug-19

Ehrharta calycina

Perennial veldt grass

15-Aug-19

Eichhornia crassipes

Water hyacinth

03-Aug-16

Elodea nuttallii

Nuttall’s waterweed

02-Aug-17

Gunnera tinctoria

Chilean rhubarb

02-Aug-17

Gymnocoronis spilanthoides

Senegal tea plant

15-Aug-19

Heracleum mantegazzianum

Giant hogweed

02-Aug-17

Heracleum persicum

Persian hogweed

03-Aug-16

Heracleum sosnowskyi

Sosnowsky’s hogweed

03-Aug-16

Humulus scandens

Japanese hop

15-Aug-19

Hydrocotyle ranunculoides

Floating pennywort

03-Aug-16

Impatiens glandulifera

Himalayan balsam

02-Aug-17

Lagarosiphon major

Curly waterweed

03-Aug-16

Lespedeza cuneata

Chinese bushclover

15-Aug-19

Ludwigia grandiflora

Water-primrose

03-Aug-16

Ludwigia peploides

Floating primrose-willow

03-Aug-16

Lygodium japonicum

Vine-like fern

15-Aug-19

Lysichiton americanus

American skunk cabbage

03-Aug-16

Microstegium vimineum

Japanese stiltgrass

02-Aug-17

Myriophyllum aquaticum

Parrot’s feather

03-Aug-16

Myriophyllum heterophyllum

Broadleaf watermilfoil

02-Aug-17

Parthenium hysterophorus

Whitetop weed

03-Aug-16

Pennisetum setaceum

Crimson fountaingrass

02-Aug-17

Persicaria perfoliata

Asiatic tearthumb

03-Aug-16

Prosopis juliflora

Mesquite

15-Aug-19

Pueraria lobata

Kudzu vine

03-Aug-16

Salvinia molesta

Salvinia moss

15-Aug-19

Triadica sebifera

Chinese tallow

15-Aug-19

Listing

The listing process

A decision to list or de-list species of Special Concern in GB is made by Ministers from all three governments.  Their decision is based on the recommendation of the GB Committee for Invasive Non-native Species, which comprises senior officials from Defra, Scottish Government, Welsh Government, and is advised by the Non-native Risk Analysis Forum (NNRAF) - an independent panel of invasive species and risk analysis experts.

In summary, the stages involved in listing new species are:

  • The GB Committee determines which species to consider for listing, taking into account horizon scanning, existing risk assessments, species that have been listed elsewhere and advice from agencies and stakeholders.
  • Comprehensive risk assessments are produced for each species using the GB risk analysis mechanism, which is overseen by the NNRAF. Risk assessments must be signed off by the NNRAF before they are used. 
  • Additional information is gathered about each species, including evidence about presence in captivity, trade and the feasibility of management.
  • Stakeholders are invited to submit relevant evidence and comment on risk assessments throughout this process.
  • The GB Committee reviews all evidence, including from stakeholders and other government departments, and makes a recommendation for listing.
  • Ministers decide which species to list, taking into account the Committee’s recommendations.

Jump to:

Species being considered for listing by the GB Committee

The GB Committee is currently considering 15 new species for addition to the list of Special Concern (listed below).  This does not necessarily mean that these species will be recommended for listing.  The Committee will gather and review appropriate evidence, including evidence submitted by stakeholders, before any recommendation is made.  The recommendation of the Committee is advisory.  Ministers will make the final decision on listing.

Species being considered have been selected by the Committee following:

  • a review of GB horizon scanning lists,
  • the list of species already being risk assessed in GB and;
  • the list of species added to the Union concern list in the EU.

Species were prioritised for consideration based on a combination of factors, including:

  • the stage of invasion of the species in GB;
  • the likely risk posed;
  • the likely effectiveness of listing; and,
  • in some cases, to ensure that it is possible to inspect important pathways of introduction.

Animal species being considered for addition to the list of species of Special Concern:

  • Cipangopaludina chinensis, Chinese mystery snail
  • Didemnum vexillum, Carpet sea-squirt
  • Dikerogammarus bispinosus, an amphipod
  • Neogobius melanostomus, Round goby
  • Ocinebrellus inornatus, Japanese oyster-drill
  • Psittacula eupatria, Alexandrine parakeet
  • Sinanodonta woodiana, Chinese pond mussel
  • Solenopsis richteri, Black imported fire ant
  • Wasmannia auropunctata, Electric ant
  • Urosalpinx cinerea, Atlantic oyster drill

Plant species being considered for addition to the list of species of Special Concern:

  • Acer rufinerve, Snake-bark maple
  • Akebia quinata, Chocolate vine
  • Amelanchier spicata, Thicket shadbush
  • Arundo donax, Giant Cane
  • Sarracenia purpurea, Purple pitcher-plant

These 15 species make up the first cycle of the GB listing process.  We expect it to take 2yrs to collate the considerable evidence required to inform the Committee’s decisions.

Risk assessments for species being considered for listing

Once drafted, risk assessments for species being considered for listing will be available on the risk assessment page. Stakeholders will have three months to comment on the evidence that underpins risk assessments before they are finalised.

Please use form RA01 risk assessment comments (Word) to submit your comments by email on the evidence underpinning these risk assessments. Evidence submitted in any other way will not be considered.  

Submitting evidence about species being considered for listing

Stakeholders are encouraged to submit evidence about species being considered for listing to inform the Committee’s deliberations. For example, stakeholders may wish to submit evidence relating to the risk posed by a species, the effectiveness of listing a species or the impact that listing a species could have on trade.

Please use form RA02 species considered for listing – stakeholder evidence (Word) to submit your evidence about species being considered. Evidence submitted in any other way will not be considered.

De-listing

Comprehensive review and de-listing of species

The list of species of Special Concern is comprehensively reviewed every six years.  The first comprehensive review was completed in April 2022 and the next comprehensive review is due to be completed by August 2028.

As a result of the review, and following the recommendation of the GB Committee, Ministers have decided to de-list the ten species listed below because of their inability to establish in GB under foreseeable climate conditions.  These will remain on the list of species of Special Concern until they are removed from the legislation by statutory instrument. The timescale for this is dictated by parliamentary process and has yet to be confirmed (updates on this timeline will be provided here when they are available).

Animal species that will be removed from the list of species of Special Concern:

  • Herpestes javanicus, small Asian mongoose
  • Nasua nasua, coati
  • Plotosus lineatus, striped eel catfish

Plant species that will be removed from the list of species of Special Concern:

  • Cardiospermum grandiflorum, Balloon vine
  • Ehrharta calycina, perennial veldtgrass
  • Eichhornia crassipes, water hyacinth
  • Parthenium hysterophorus, whitetop weed
  • Pennisetum setaceum, crimson fountaingrass
  • Prosopis juliflora, mesquite
  • Pueraria montana, kudzu vine

Considerations relating to de-listing

Some stakeholders have raised concerns about the potential for the species being de-listed to establish in the future in GB.  Any new evidence relating to the ability of de-listed species to establish in GB will be kept under review and considered at least every 6 years as part of the comprehensive review cycle.

Other resources