Focusing on Key Managed Species to Enhance the Prevention and Control of Invasive Alien Species

Release Date:

2022-11-30

　　Recently, reports of invasive alien species have frequently appeared in the media, making this issue a public hotspot. Many invasive species severely disrupt the ecosystems of their new habitats, undermine sustainable agricultural development and biodiversity, and pose risks to national security and public health. In recent days, a reporter interviewed an official from the Office of the Inter-Ministerial Coordination Mechanism for the Prevention and Control of Invasive Alien Species on related matters.
　　Question: What is the overall situation facing China’s prevention and control of invasive alien species?
　　Answer: An invasive alien species refers to an alien species that has been introduced and established, posing a threat or harm to ecosystems, habitats, and native species, thereby undermining China’s ecological environment and jeopardizing the sustainable development of agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry, and fisheries, as well as biodiversity. Well‑known examples include the Brazilian turtle and Solidago canadensis. Given China’s extensive land borders, there is an ongoing risk of invasive alien species entering the country via natural pathways such as air currents and water flows. Meanwhile, with increasingly frequent international exchanges, the unintentional introduction of such species through trade in goods and human travel is on the rise, leading to growing adverse impacts. New phenomena—such as the illegal importation and keeping of “exotic pets” and unauthorized releases—continue to emerge, further amplifying the risks posed by invasive species. Once these species spread and become established, they are extremely difficult to eradicate.
　　To prevent and respond to the invasion of alien species, the Biosecurity Law of the People’s Republic of China has established specific provisions. Relevant authorities have jointly issued the accompanying Measures for the Management of Alien Invasive Species, comprehensively strengthening management across all stages—prevention at the source, monitoring and early warning, and control and restoration. Meanwhile, ten departments—including the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Natural Resources, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, the Ministry of Housing and Urban–Rural Development, the General Administration of Customs, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and the National Forestry and Grassland Administration—have formed an inter‑ministerial coordination mechanism for the prevention and control of alien invasive species. They have also established an expert committee on the prevention and control of alien invasive species, composed of specialists from multiple fields, and formulated and implemented the Work Plan for Further Strengthening the Prevention and Control of Alien Species Invasions, thereby systematically advancing efforts to curb such invasions.
　　Q: What are the main considerations underlying the formulation of the “List of Key Managed Invasive Alien Species,” and what criteria were used to select the species included?
　　Answer: Recently, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, the Ministry of Natural Resources, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, the Ministry of Housing and Urban–Rural Development, the General Administration of Customs, and the National Forestry and Grassland Administration jointly formulated the “List of Key Managed Invasive Alien Species” (hereinafter referred to as the “List”).
　　The Biosecurity Law of the People’s Republic of China explicitly stipulates the establishment of a list of invasive alien species. To this end, the relevant authorities have systematically reviewed pertinent literature, conducted field surveys and expert consultations, and, with respect to invasive alien species that have already established themselves in the country, comprehensively analyzed factors such as their occurrence patterns, biological characteristics, reproductive and dispersal capacities, severity of harm, and difficulty of control, drawing on existing survey data. On the basis of a scientific assessment of the risks posed by these species, they selected those invasive alien species that warrant inclusion in the List for prioritized management, and, after extensively soliciting and thoroughly incorporating the views of relevant departments, industry experts, local entities, and other stakeholders, ultimately formulated the List.
　　In terms of the criteria for species selection, four main considerations are taken into account:
　　First, the degree of harm is severe. These species can inflict substantial damage on agricultural, forestry, animal husbandry, and fishery production in invaded areas, leading to widespread yield reductions or even total crop failure; alternatively, they pose a significant threat to the biodiversity and ecosystems of invaded regions, and their establishment may result in mass mortality of native species in localized areas.
　　Second, they spread rapidly. These include invasive alien pests and diseases, as well as plants whose infested areas or potential threat zones are extensive and which can be disseminated quickly by wind or water currents; or invasive aquatic animals that have already established themselves in several major river systems in China, such as the Yangtze and the Pearl.
　　Third, prevention and control are challenging. This species poses a threat to a variety of habitats, including farmland, forests, grasslands, and urban greenbelts, making its management particularly difficult. Effective containment and control require coordinated efforts across multiple agencies.
　　Fourth, the forms of harm are diverse. In addition to threatening agricultural, forestry, animal husbandry, and fishery production as well as biodiversity, some species either contain toxins themselves or pose serious risks to human and animal health through bites or other means.
　　Q: Compared with the existing lists related to the management of invasive alien species, what changes does the “Catalogue” introduce?
　　Answer: To strengthen the management of invasive alien species, in 2013 the former Ministry of Agriculture issued the “National List of Key Managed Invasive Alien Species (First Batch),” which included 52 invasive alien species that have already caused serious harm to China’s biodiversity and ecological environment—comprising 21 plant species, 26 animal species, and 5 microbial species. Subsequently, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, in collaboration with the Chinese Academy of Sciences, released four additional lists of invasive alien species in 2003, 2010, 2014, and 2016, totaling 71 species. These efforts have played a crucial historical role in effectively preventing and controlling the damage caused by invasive species in China; however, they have also led to the proliferation of multiple versions online, giving rise to public confusion.
　　In accordance with the Biosecurity Law of the People’s Republic of China, and guided by scientific rigor and authoritative expertise, multiple government departments jointly convened experts from relevant fields to develop the “List.” During the preparation of this List, species already included in previous lists were individually reviewed based on species‑survey data and assessments of invasion risk. As a result, certain species that have long been present in China, with well‑defined distribution ranges and well‑established control measures, were adjusted; meanwhile, new species—particularly those posing significant potential harm or exhibiting increased levels of harm—were added. Following repeated evaluations and deliberations, a total of 59 key invasive alien species, including the fall armyworm, alligator gar, Canadian goldenrod, red imported fire ant, and apple snail, were designated for prioritized management and included in the List.
　　The species listed in the Catalogue constitute the priority targets for the prevention and control of invasive alien species, both at present and in the foreseeable future. At the same time, the Catalogue operates on a principle of dynamic adjustment; going forward, species will be added or removed as appropriate, based on enhanced data collection on their occurrence and rigorous assessments of their potential risks.
　　Question: What measures will be taken next to strengthen the integrated prevention and control of invasive alien species?
　　Answer: The report to the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China emphasized, “Strengthen biosafety management and prevent and control harm caused by invasive alien species.” Member units of the inter‑ministerial coordination mechanism for the prevention and control of invasive alien species will thoroughly implement the spirit of the 20th National Congress, enforce relevant laws, regulations, and policies, and adhere to a dual approach of curbing new introductions while addressing existing infestations. Focusing on the species listed in the Catalogue, they will reinforce source‑based prevention, integrated governance, joint prevention and control, and mass participation in prevention and management, continuously raising the level of prevention and control of invasive alien species. To further strengthen comprehensive prevention and control, the following five measures will be implemented:
　　First, strengthen prevention at the source. Continue to implement the “Green Shield at National Borders” campaign, reinforcing quarantine measures for imported goods, transport vehicles, postal and express shipments, and cross-border e‑commerce items, and promptly carry out pest control on any invasive species detected. Enhance oversight of interregional movements within the country. seed Seedlings, plant products, Aquaculture Quarantine and regulatory oversight of seedlings and other items.
　　Second, strengthen baseline surveys and assessments. Ascertain the species composition, population size, geographic distribution, affected area, and severity of harm caused by invasive alien species, and analyze trends in their invasion and spread, thereby providing a solid data foundation for scientifically sound prevention and control measures.
　　Third, strengthen monitoring and early warning. Relying on the existing monitoring network, optimize the layout of monitoring stations and sites, and intensify surveillance in areas where key species occur and in high-risk zones for invasion, striving to achieve early detection and timely response.
　　Fourth, we will strengthen precision‑based management. We will develop species‑ and category‑specific technical guidelines for prevention and control, clearly identifying critical periods, priority areas, and key measures, and implement “one species, one strategy” approaches. We will also guide local authorities in selecting, on a case‑by‑case basis, appropriate methods such as physical removal, chemical spraying, and biological control to effectively carry out prevention, containment, and eradication efforts.
　　Fifth, strengthen science and technology support. Intensify research on species‑specific control technologies, develop green pest‑management products, refine technical standards and guidelines for surveying, monitoring, and integrated management, and explore the establishment of comprehensive management approaches that are safe, efficient, and economically viable.
　　Q: In the process of preventing and controlling invasive alien species, how can public participation be actively encouraged?
　　A: Effectively preventing the invasion of alien species requires the concerted participation of the entire society. All relevant departments will intensify public awareness campaigns, broadly mobilize the public to take part, enhance preventive awareness, and establish a nationwide defense line based on collective vigilance and community-based prevention and control.
　　Ensure effective publicity and interpretation. Through science‑based articles, expert lectures, and other formats, provide clear explanations of the Biosecurity Law, the Measures for the Management of Invasive Alien Species, and the List of Key Managed Species, thereby raising public legal awareness and encouraging individuals to consciously refrain from illegally introducing, releasing, or abandoning alien species.
　　Strengthen public awareness and education. Produce accessible, easy-to-understand science communication materials, and leverage broadcast media, the internet, and other channels to disseminate knowledge on the prevention and control of invasive alien species, thereby enhancing the public’s ability to identify these species and their awareness of related management measures, and fostering a scientifically grounded, objective perspective on invasive alien species.
　　Support public participation. Encourage the public to report any species listed in the Catalogue to the relevant competent authorities upon discovery. Strengthen publicity efforts for typical cases of prevention and control of invasive alien species, using these cases to educate and raise awareness, thereby fostering a positive social atmosphere of collective engagement.