Invasive Species Ireland - Strategy for Northern Ireland & Upcoming Forum

1. Notification of consultation on a draft Invasive Alien Species Strategy for Northern Ireland

The Department of Environment Northern Ireland is seeking views on a draft Invasive Alien Species Strategy for Northern Ireland.

The vision for the Strategy is that it will establish a coordinated policy and management framework that minimises the risk of invasive alien species to the economy, environment and society. The Strategy is structured into components which reflect the main challenges for Northern Ireland and are in line with the guiding principles set out by the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Global Invasive Species Programme.

Increasing awareness and understanding of the risks and the issues involved in tackling invasive alien species is a central overarching issue.

The consultation period closes on 30 September 2011.

A letter to consultees, the consultation document and the consultation response form can be accessed using the below links. Details on how to submit responses are outlined in the covering letter and the consultation document.

Covering letter for An Invasive Alien Species Strategy for Northern Ireland Consultation (98 kb) 

2. Reminder to register for the Invasive Species Ireland Forum
The EU Strategy and both the Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland Strategies will be discussed at this years Forum. If you have not already registered to attend the Forum, please see the information below. Places are limited.

Ulster Museum, Belfast

20th of April 2011.

10.00 - 16.20

'Policy, priorities and progress'

Keynote Address
The Keynote Address for this year's Forum will be given by Huw Thomas, Head of Protected Species and Non-native Species Team at Defra. Huw will present on the developing EU Invasive Alien Species Strategy; providing insight into what this Strategy could mean for Member States and the network of stakeholders in Ireland, the UK and elsewhere.

Priorities in a changing landscape
The second session of the Forum will give delegates the opportunity to hear about current issues and future priorities relating to invasive species management and research in Ireland and Northern Ireland:

• John Kelly, Invasive Species Ireland, will present an overview of the the results from the risk assessment and prioritisation exercise currently underway.
• Joe Caffrey, Inland Fisheries Ireland, will give a presentation on the recent incursion of the Asian clam (Corbicula fluminea) into Ireland.
• Colette o'Flynn, National Biodiversity Data Centre, will present on the development of an early warning system and the challenges surrounding this crucial aspect of effective invasive species management.
• Louise Scally, National Platform for Biodiversity Research, is presenting on the results of workshop of experts to identify biodiversity research needs for invasive species in Ireland.

Breakout groups
Three breakout groups have been scheduled:

• Breakout Group 1: Delivering the Invasive Species Strategies.
• Breakout Group 2: Biosecurity for freshwater ecosystems.
• Breakout Group 3: Early warning and invasive species alert networks.

Download a copy of the full Forum Programme.

For more information about the Ulster Museum, please visit http://www.nmni.com/um.

Registration
Please register using the form available at:
http://invasivespeciesireland.com/forum/forum-registration/

or contact John Kelly directly using the contact details provided on the Contact Us page of this website.

Attendance is free but all delegates must register in advance.

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