An action plan to combat invasive alien species will soon be discussed and approved by the Government, a source from the Ministry of Environment and Climate Action (MAAC) told Lusa.
Following information from the European Commission, which decided to take Portugal to court for lack of measures to combat invasive species, Lusa questioned the Government on the matter, which replied that the proposed action plan is ready.
“The proposed Action Plan for the Priority Routes for the unintentional introduction of Invasive Alien Species”, prepared by the Institute for the Conservation of Nature and Forests (ICNF), “is finalized”, said the source.
And he added: “It will soon be submitted for approval by the Council of Ministers, in the form of a Resolution of the Council of Ministers, followed by its approval and publication”.
The European Commission decided today to proceed with an action against Portugal before the Court of Justice of the EU due to the deficient application of measures to prevent and manage the introduction and spread of invasive alien species.
At issue is non-compliance with measures to protect biodiversity against invasive species (Invasive Exotic Species Regulation or EEI Regulation) included in a European Union (EU) list.
Portugal and five other Member States “have not established, implemented or communicated to the Commission an action plan (or a set of action plans) to address the most important routes of introduction and spread of invasive alien species that raise concern in the EU” , according to a statement.
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