The EC has published a new set of regulations to tackle the dire problem of invasive alien species (IAS) across Europe. The spread of IAS is widely viewed as one of the biggest threats to global wildlife alongside climate change and habitat loss.
The most visited article on the CGO Ecology website is this one: "Ecology reports needed for all planning applications." It was written in August 2010, at a time when local authorities in Dorset were becoming more rigorous in their demands for ecological assessment prior to developments, however small.
The British Standards Institution (BSI) has published a British Standard for biodiversity management, assessment and information provision in the development-planning process. BS42020:2013 aims to set the gold standard for biodiversity professionals, and will be regarded with great interest in the ecological consultancy industry.
So here we are with yet another case of unexpected great crested newts (UXGCNs) turning up on a development site, far too late in the day, and leaving all concerned bemused and wondering where to point the finger.
According to web sources, Richard Benyon MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Natural Environment, Water and Rural Affairs has communicated the Government's intention to legislate against the sale of 'blacklisted' non-native invasive species. This follows a lengthy consultation period.
The following news is taken from the Fera website
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The European Food Safety Authority has recently published an opinion http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/efsajournal/pub/2552.htm evaluating a Spanish pest risk analysis on Pomacea insularum, the island apple snail [an invasive South American freshwater snail]. The PRA had been prepared in response to the presence of the snail in the Ebro delta of Spain, where it has been causing damage to rice production and the natural environment. As the snail can currently be imported, bred and traded freely, there is the possibility of release into the environment, either intentionally, or accidentally from outdoor aquaria and breeding sites etc.
The UK's statutory nature conservation organisations have announced the commencement of the 6th 'Quinquennial Review' (QQR) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (WCA).
The UK Government today released its long-awaited National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). The document contains 57 pages of guidelines that replace all previous planning guidance, including Planning Policy Statement 9 on biodiversity and geological conservation.
Natural England has issued a news update on the submission and processing of EPS licence applications in England. Entitled "EPS Mitigation Licensing: Latest Developments – August 2010", the note is available as a pdf here.
[NOTE added 20/03/2014: This article was originally written in 2010, but is equally pertinent today. If your planning authority or other official body has asked you for an ecology report, it is imperative that you seek a good ecologist to do this. We work quickly, effectively and reasonably. Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 07846 137346 for an immediate quote].
