The EU has now published its list of species of EU wide concern and it will come into force on 3 August 2016. The list contains 37 species of animals and plants, some of which are sold and are important in our industry.
We recommend everyone reads the UK Governments FAQ’s on the list. It’s essential that everyone who trades in live animals or plants reads the note in full. It contains information on which species are on the list and the controls including the SALES BANS that will be applied to them.
The FAQ’s can be found at here and more information can be found on the Non Native Secretariat website here.
Plants
These plants are on the list:
| American skunk cabbage | Lysichiton americanus |
| Curly waterweed | Lagarosiphon major (often inaccurately called Elodea crispa) |
| Cabomba | Cabomba caroliniana |
| Water hyacinth | Eichhornia crassipes |
Over the last year OATA has been presented with a lot of evidence that the American Skunk Cabbage is invading and causing problems in some areas of the UK, therefore we would suggest members think very carefully before continuing to trade in this species even if legally permitted to do so for the next 12 months or so.
Please remember there are sales bans on 5 species already in place and these will remain in place. These are:
| Water Fern (Fairy Fern) | Azolla filiculoides |
| Parrot’s Feather Brazilian Watermilfoil |
Myriophyllum aquaticum Myriophyllum brasiliense* Myriophyllum proserpinacoides Enydria aquatic |
| Floating Pennywort | Hydrocotyle ranunculoides |
| Floating Water Primrose Water Primrose Water Primrose |
Ludwigia peploides Ludwigia grandiflora Ludwigia uruguayensis |
| Australian Swamp Stonecrop New Zealand Pigmyweed |
Crassula helmsii Tillaea aquatica, Tillaea recurve |
(*OATA note – we believe the red stemmed low growing frost sensitive plants sometimes sold under this name are a different species and may be traded – to avoid confusion this should only be under the Myriophyllum ‘Red Stem’ name ).
Animals
Of most importance to our sector is the listing of the Red eared slider/terrapin Trachemys scripta elegans.
There are several crayfish on the list. Members are reminded trade in only one species Cherax quadricarinatus is permitted. No live crayfish may be sold in Scotland.
Should members be offered any other crayfish species you must notify the Fish Health Inspectorate fhi@cefas.co.uk , Telephone: 01305 206700, Fish Health Inspectorate, Barrack Road, The Nothe, Weymouth, Dorset, DT4 8UB.
Of particular concern is the marbled crayfish as this is hardy and can reproduce asexually – one released specimen could start an invasion.
Be Plant Wise
We urge members to actively promote the message that nothing from an aquarium or garden pond should ever be released or allowed to escape into the wild by promoting widely the Be Plant Wise campaign, using OATA fish bags and care sheets and incorporating no release messages on your own product packaging or by displaying. We’d also urge you to promote the OATA/REPTA Code on invasive pets.
