Agriculture is often on the frontline in terms of picking up the costs and impacts of Invasive Alien Species (IAS) when they establish on farmland and along waterways. It is therefore in the interest of farmers to welcome work in this area.
The NFU supports the call by the House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee for a pragmatic approach to dealing with IAS. The challenge for industry will be to ensure that pragmatic approach is found for any changes to current legislation as a result of the EU Regulation or the Law Commission.
The NFU is concerned that the draft IAS Regulation allows Member States to apply more stringent controls on IAS. Particularly, given the Law Commission recommendations, which came forward in light of the draft Regulation, provide for cost recovery for the control of IAS from businesses that are found to have IAS. This is unfair on affected businesses, many of whom will be farmers, particularly as they will have no control on the costs.
The draft Regulation does contain the ‘polluter pays’ principle within it. However, it will be very difficult to identify the ‘polluter’ (e.g. a ship releasing ballast that carried the IAS) to be able to recover costs, placing the costs back on businesses affected.