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SBSTTA 14 Recommendation XIV/13

XIV/13.Further work on gaps and inconsistencies in the international regulatory framework on invasive alien species introduced as pets, aquarium and terrarium species, as live bait and live food, and best practices for addressing the risks associated with their introduction

A.Invasive alien species introduced as pets, aquarium and terrarium species, and as live bait and live food

The Conference of the Parties
Pursuant to paragraph 10 of its decision IX/4,
1.Takes note of the information compiled by the Executive Secretary for addressing invasive alien species introduced as pets, aquarium and terrarium species, as live bait and live food, as summarized in the note prepared for the fourteenth meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (UNEP/CBD/SBSTTA/14/16/Rev.1);
2.Establishes an Ad Hoc Technical Expert Group (AHTEG) to suggest ways and means, including inter alia, [providing practical guidance on the development of international standards], to address and take proactive action to fill the identified gaps and to prevent the risks associated with the introduction of invasive alien species introduced as pets, aquarium and terrarium species, as live bait and live food with the terms of reference annexed hereto;
3.Requests the Executive Secretary:
(a)To seek further submissions from Parties, other governments and relevant organizations on examples of best practices for addressing invasive alien species introduced as pets, aquarium and terrarium species, as live bait and live food;
[(b) Subject to the availability of financial resources, to convene meetings, with the full participation of developing countries, of an Ad Hoc Technical Expert Group with the terms of reference as annexed to this document and to submit its report for consideration at a meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice prior to the eleventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties;]
(c)To explore further ways and means to improve the capacity of Parties to address invasive alien species introduced as pets, aquarium and terrarium species, as live bait and live food, including through consultation with secretariats of relevant biodiversity-related conventions.

B.Other matters related to invasive alien species

The Conference of the Parties,
1.Recognizes the critical importance of regional collaboration to address the threat of invasive alien species, particularly as a means to enhance ecosystem resilience in the face of climate change;
2.Welcomes the report of the workshop "Helping Islands Adapt: A Workshop on Regional Action to Combat Invasive Alien Species on Islands to Preserve Biodiversity and Adapt to Climate Change" held in Auckland, New Zealand, from 11 to 16 April 2010 (UNEP/CBD/SBSTTA/14/INF/29) referred to in decisions IX/4 and IX/21;
[3.Recognizingthe need to address the risks from invasive alien species used as biofuel crops and for carbon sequestration, urges Parties and encourages other Governments to continue using the precautionary approach with regard to invasive alien species;]
4.Encourages Parties and invites other Governments and organizations to consider ways and means to increase the interoperability of existing information resources, including databases and networks, of use in conducting risk and/or impact assessments and in developing early warning systems;
5.Recalling decisions VI/23*, VII/13, VIII/27 and IX/4, and recognizing the need to further facilitate and enhance the implementation of these decisions, particularly regarding the issue of mobility of people and goods referred therein, requests the Executive Secretary to follow-up with the secretariats of the bodies referred to those decisions, as well as the other biodiversity-related multilateral environmental agreements and regional organizations, as appropriate, taking into account also additional introduction pathways such as hunting and sports fishing, the management of already established invasive alien species, and threats from invasive alien genotypes;
6.Further requests the Executive Secretary to:
(a)Compile existing information including any existing guidelines on invasive alien species and related management responses, reconciling the need for the gradual adaptation of biodiversity and ecosystems to climate change and other environmental pressures, with the need to mitigate the impacts of existing and potentially new invasive alien species;
(b)To incorporate progress and lessons learned on regional island collaboration to manage the threat of invasive alien species, including inter- and intra- regional exchanges and South-South cooperation, in the review of the programme of work on island biological diversity scheduled for the eleventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties.

Annex

TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR THE AD HOC TECHNICAL EXPERT GROUP ON ADDRESSING THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF ALIEN SPECIES AS PETS, AQUARIUM AND TERRARIUM SPECIES, AND AS LIVE BAIT AND LIVE FOOD

1.The purpose of this Ad Hoc Technical Expert Group (AHTEG) is to suggest ways and means, including, inter alia, [providing practical guidance on the development of international standards], to address and take proactive action to fill the identified gaps and to prevent the risks associated with the introduction of alien species as pets, aquarium and terrarium species, and as live bait and live food.
2.More specifically, the Ad Hoc Technical Expert Group shall identify and consider relevant, specific, and concrete tools, codes of practice, methodologies, guidance, best-practice examples and instruments, including regulatory mechanisms, for addressing the risks associated with the introduction of alien species as pets, aquarium and terrarium species, and as live bait and live food, including for:
(a)Controlling, monitoring, and prohibiting, where appropriate, export, import and transit, at local, national, and regional levels, taking into account national legislations, where applicable;
(b)Controlling internet trade, associated transport, and other relevant pathways;
(c)Developing and utilizing risk assessments and risk management;
(d)Developing and utilizing early-warning systems;
(e)Regulating the export, import and transit of potentially invasive alien species traded as pets likely to be released;
(f)Public awareness-raising and information dissemination;
(g)Transboundary cooperation and regional approaches.
3.In addition, the Ad Hoc Technical Expert Group shall consider ways to increase the interoperability of existing information resources including databases and networks, of use in conducting risk and/or impact assessments and in developing early warning systems.
4.The Ad Hoc Technical Expert Group shall make its suggestions drawing on:
(a)Information provided by, inter alia, Parties, other governments, non-governmental organizations and the private sector, relevant national, regional, and international organizations, and secretariats of relevant international conventions;
(b)Information gathered at the expert workshop on best practices for pre-import screening of live animals in international trade (UNEP/CBD/COP/9/INF/32/Add.1), held in Indiana, United States of America, from 9 to 11 April 2008;
(c)The TEMATEA issue-based module on invasive alien species;
(d)International, national and regional databases on invasive alien species;
(e)Sections II and III of the note by the Executive Secretary on further work on gaps and inconsistencies in the international regulatory framework on invasive alien species, particularly species introduced as pets, aquarium and terrarium species, as live bait and live food, and best practices for addressing the risks associated with their introduction (UNEP/CBD/SBSTTA/14/16/Rev.1);
(f)Other relevant scientifically-sound information, particularly information from scientific experts, universities, and relevant institutions.
5.The Ad Hoc Technical Expert Group shall be established in accordance with the procedures outlined in the consolidated modus operandi of SBSTTA (decision VIII/10, annex III) taking into account the need to draw upon the experience of relevant international organizations, including the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC); the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE); the Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures of the World Trade Organization (WTO-SPS); the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO); the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Fauna and Flora (CITES); the International Maritime Organization (IMO); the World Customs Organization; the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations; and the International Union for Conservation of Nature, organizations managing databases on invasive alien species, industry organizations and Global Invasive Species Programme (GISP).
6.The Ad Hoc Technical Expert Group shall meet as required to complete its task, subject to the availability of financial resources, and also work through correspondence and teleconferences.
7.The Ad Hoc Technical Expert Group shall report to a meeting of SBSTTA prior to the eleventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity.
* One representative entered a formal objection during the process leading to the adoption of this decision and underlined that he did not believe that the Conference of the Parties could legitimately adopt a motion or a text with a formal objection in place. A few representatives expressed reservations regarding the procedure leading to the adoption of this decision (see UNEP/CBD/COP/6/20, paras. 294-324).

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