Source: European Parliament
1. Invasive alien species (IAS) of Union concern are subject to the restrictions mentioned in Article 7 of the IAS Regulation[1]. This includes Article 7(h), releasing into the environment. Releasing an IAS after containment is not permissible.
2. To support the implementation of IAS Regulation, the Commission has published a manual on humane treatment of vertebrate IAS[2] helping competent authorities in making management choices, including an assessment of animal welfare implications. Competent authorities can use this manual but are held nevertheless to the requirements of the legislation itself which, in its Article 1, states that the regulation sets out rules to prevent, minimise and mitigate the adverse impact on biodiversity of the introduction and spread within the Union, both intentional and unintentional, of invasive alien species.
3. The EU programme for the environment and climate action (LIFE)[3] allows funding for developing, testing and implementing innovative humane management methods.
- [1] Regulation (EU) No 1143/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 October 2014 on the prevention and management of the introduction and spread of invasive alien species, OJ L 317, 4.11.2014, p. 35-55.
- [2] https://easin.jrc.ec.europa.eu/easin/Document/Final-deliverables-humane/Manual_management_vertebrate_IAS_incl_welfare_medres.pdf
- [3] https://cinea.ec.europa.eu/life_en