It has been estimated that economic losses caused by invasive alien species account for almost 5% of the world’s combined gross national product, or some US$1,4-trillion a year. This situation is expected to worsen rapidly, with increased movement of species around the globe through trade, transport, travel and tourism, and as existing invasives spread and grow, exacerbated by climate change and habitat destruction.
The impact on life and livelihoods is already being felt in South Africa. An example recently highlighted by Premier S’bu Ndebele of KwaZulu-Natal is the invasion of the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park by Chromolaena odorata (triffid weed), a plant eaten by very few animals. An estimated 25% of this world-famous park — the third-oldest proclaimed park in the world, renowned for its pioneering work in conserving rhinoceroses — is invaded by triffid weed. Were it not for planned interventions announced by Ndebele, the park could be virtually overrun within a decade. Were that to happen, the wildlife would die, the tourism would collapse, more than 3 000 jobs would be lost and the park’s contribution of more than R100-million a year to the local economy would be lost. Invasive species are not just a threat to nature conservation. They affect all aspects of people’s lives — human health, economy, trade and industry, food security, water security, biological diversity and the functioning of life-support systems.
South Africa is considered one of the most advanced countries in terms of its response to the threat of invasive alien species. In 1995, it launched the Working for Water programme, a multi-departmental initiative to control invasive alien plants, and has invested almost R3-billion in this programme to date.
Notwithstanding this and other successes, there is a need to consolidate South Africa’s initiatives to prevent the introduction of potentially invasive species, and to control (and, where possible, to eradicate) invasive aliens.
Key is the promulgation of the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act in 2004. A task team has been established to develop the regulations on alien and invasive species, in terms of the Act.
The regulations will focus on preventing the introduction of potentially invasive species. Species being introduced will need to go through a risk assessment and permitting process, and strict conditions will be placed on such introductions. The regulations will also deal with indigenous species outside their natural distribution ranges — known as ‘extra-limital” species. Part 2 of the regulations will deal with the control of invasive alien species. Restricted lists will be developed, which will limit the movement of such species. The task team aims to present the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism with a set of draft regulations that are practicable. It is critical that there is an adequate consultative process. Many interest groups will be affected by the regulations, including those who import and export goods, the tourism industry, the pet trade, the nursery and landscaping industries, commercial forestry, agriculture and others. There will also be an impact on most land-owners. Consultation will take place over the next three months, starting with a ‘Best Practices” workshop in Cape Town at the end of May and then moving to public meetings in all nine provinces. Specific meetings with key interest groups will be held. Draft regulations are expected to be presented to the department by the end of October 2005.
Guy Preston is the project leader of the task team on alien and invasive species, in terms of the regulations for the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act. He is also the chairperson and national programme leader of Working for Water. E-mail [email protected] or [email protected] or visit www.invasive.species.sanbi.org.