10^th Meeting of the Panel on Invasive Alien Species

Riga (LV) , 2006-10-03/05

The 10th Panel on Invasive Alien Species met in Riga on 2006-10-03/05 at the kind invitation of the Latvian NPPO. The Panel worked on the development of a prioritization process for invasive alien plants. This process consists of compiling available information on alien plants according to determined criteria, and it has two aims:

• to provide a clear overview of invasive alien or potentially invasive alien plants in the EPPO region,
• to establish priorities between species on which Pest Risk Analysis (PRA) should be performed

The Panel reviewed and adjusted the Pest Risk Analysis for Sicyos angulatus, Senecio inaequidens and Cabomba caroliniana. The Panel had the opportunity to make a field-excursion and to observe Heracleum sosnowskyi.

The next Panel meeting will be held in Zurich (CH) at the kind invitation of the Swiss NPPO on 2007-05-08/11. It will aim at finalizing the prioritization process for invasive alien plants and at reviewing Pest Risk Analysis for Heracleum sosnowskyi and for Polygonum perfoliatum, identified as a good A1 candidate. The Panel will also review the Pest Risk Analysis for the aquarium plants pathway.

                           Field invaded by Heracleum sosnowskyi                                          Flowers of Heracleum sosnowskyi                Solidago spp. invaded place