Invasive gebietsfremde Arten im Bereich des Internationalen Pflanzenschutzübereinkommens

The International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) was revised in 1997, and its phytosanitary standards set the international framework for measures against the introduction and spread of pests that are directly or indirectly harmful to plants. These standards and the nationally trade-restricting protective measures based on them are acknowledged by the WTO. According to the relevant guiding principles of the CBD, invasive alien species represent a threat to plants and thereby affect plant species, plant communities, ecosystems, and the 'users' of a landscape. They can be qualified as quarantine pests according to the IPPC if they are not present in the area or subject to official control. Accordingly, measures against such invasive alien species are to be taken in accordance with IPPC provisions and standards. As a consequence, the risks posed by such alien organisms have to be analysed more deeply and comprehensively, new pathways have to be considered, and information exchange and coordination with the environmental/nature protection sector is to be intensified on both the scientific and administrative levels. © Springer-Verlag 2004.