Help stop the spread of invasive plants and animals!

Britain is home to large areas of countryside which support a wide range of wildlife, and are important for our health, wellbeing, and the economy. Taking part in outdoor events is a great way to explore our natural environment, but comes with a responsibility to protect them.

Invasive non-native species and other biosecurity threats, such as diseases, reduce our ability to access and enjoy waterways for sport and recreation, and harm the environment and our native wildlife. They can easily be spread on footwear, clothing, boats and equipment. The risk is higher at events and competitions where participants have travelled from other parts of the country, or abroad, and could be unknowingly carrying new invasive non-native species on their kit.

Everyone can help to reduce the risk by following a good biosecurity routine, remember to Check Clean Dry after leaving the water. Event organisers can play a key part in protecting the environment and event waters by ensuring participants follow a good biosecurity routine to reduce the risk of introducing and spreading invasive plants and animals. 

Basic biosecurity for events

Below are some suggested actions that can help protect the water bodies you manage or use.

Before the event

• Ask participants to arrive at the event with all their kit clean and dry. 
• Pre-event information for participants in angling events is available: English (PDF) | Czech (PDF) | French (PDF) | Croatian (PDF) | Hungarian (PDF) | Italian (PDF) | Lithuanian (PDF) | Latvian (PDF) | Polish (PDF) | Romanian (PDF) | Russian (PDF) | Ukranian (PDF).

On the day

• Set up a cleaning station for those who turn up with damp or dirty kit.
• Limit access to water bodies, preferably to a single point where Check Clean Dry signs are displayed. Participants should log in and out, confirming that they have cleaned and inspected their equipment.
• If possible, provide equipment that can be borrowed and used instead of personal equipment (e.g. trailers for boaters, nets and drogues for anglers).
• Put waterproof Check Clean Dry stickers on any club-owned equipment to remind users to follow the guidance.

After participants have taken part

• All participants should clean and dry their equipment after taking part. View Check Clean Dry guidance for anglers, boaters, and paddlers.

Resources

A number of free resources are available to help you plan your event biosecurity : 

• Paddling Event Biosecurity Pack (PDF) - developed by British Canoeing and North Wales Wildlife Trust.
• Angling Event Biosecurity Pack (PDF) - developed by the Angling Trust and North Wales Wildlife Trust.
• Boating Sustainable Event Toolkit - developed by RYA
• Event Biosecurity Support Pack (PDF) - developed by the Cumbria Freshwater Invasive Non-Native Species Initiative
• Scottish Event Biosecurity Support Guide (PDF) and Biosecurity Risk Assessment (PDF)
• Free online biosecurity training. 

Free Check Clean Dry materials are available to help you raise awareness at events, including biosecurity signs to display by entry and exit points to the water. 

Thank you for helping to protect the environment.