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4 - Vertebrate animal introductions

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 August 2012

By
Christopher Lever
Edited by
Norman Maclean
Norman Maclean
Affiliation:
University of Southampton
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Summary

Summary

Invasive alien species are, after habitat loss, the principal factor in the decline or extinction of native organisms. The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and the Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985 prohibit the future introduction and release into the wild of non-native species in Britain and Northern Ireland. Corresponding legislation in the Republic of Ireland is the Wildlife Act 1976 and the European Communities (Natural Habitats) Regulations 1997. The European Union Habitats and Species Directive requires member states to restore natural biodiversity, whenever practicable, by reintroducing formerly native species that have become extinct. Whereas, in times past, the practice of introducing exotics was acceptable, now the reintroduction of former native species is seen as the way forward.

Introduction

The impact of invasive alien species on native fauna and flora is, after habitat destruction, the most important factor in the decline or extinction of indigenous organisms. Arguably the most significant single factor affecting introduced species in Britain during the past half century has been the enactment of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Hitherto, those wishing to release exotic species into the wild had what amounted to virtually a free hand. Section 14 Part I of this Act lays down that:

(1) Subject to the provisos of this Part, if any person releases or allows to escape into the wild any animal which (a) is of a kind which is not ordinarily resident in and is not a regular visitor to Great Britain in a wild state; or (b) is included in Part I Schedule 9, he shall be guilty of an offence.

Type
Chapter
Information
Silent Summer
The State of Wildlife in Britain and Ireland
 , pp. 36 - 52
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2010

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