The Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) is calling for collective action towards the combating of invasive alien species, which are considered to be one of the major causes of biodiversity loss, both in Malta and worldwide. The Authority has developed and launched a National Strategy and a set of eight complimentary codes of good practice to address this aspect.

The National Strategy for Preventing and Mitigating the Impact of Invasive Alien Species (IAS) in the Maltese Islands and the National Sector-Specific Codes of Good Practice in Relation to Invasive Alien Species in the Maltese Islands are available for viewing on the ERA website​ and will remain open for a six-week public consultation until 23/01/2019. Feedback may be sent via e-mail on [email protected].

Alien species are plants or animals which are not native to the Maltese Islands and which are introduced into our environment by humans. Invasive alien species are those which, after being introduced whether deliberately or accidentally, start growing and multiplying spontaneously in the wild. These are termed “invasive” because they rapidly increase in number when conditions are favourable, while negatively impacting our environment, society and the economy.

Examples of invasive alien species which have become a common sight, and unfortunately often take over native biodiversity, include the crimson fountain grass, acacias, century plants, Kaffir fig and rats. Certain invasive alien species also create significant socio-economic impacts, particularly plant pests, which affect the agriculture and horticulture sectors such as the red palm weevil, which affects palm trees.

The National Strategy and Codes of Good Practice which ERA has developed have been designed for use by all those stakeholders involved in the regulation, movement and use of, as well as management of, alien species in the Maltese Islands. These policies fulfil the requirements of Malta’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan and are complimentary to existing regulations under the Laws of Malta.

For additional information on invasive alien species please visit this link.

For clarifications on this press release, kindly contact [email protected].

For any queries on invasive alien species contact ERA on [email protected] or on 2292 3500.