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06th October 2005 BCPC Congress will spotlight invasive species: their threat and impact Two sessions at this year’s BCPC International Congress and Exhibition – Crop Science and Technology are already attracting interest from booked Congress delegates. ‘Non-indigenous and invasive pests, diseases and weeds’, comprises an invited paper session followed by a related offered paper session and will be held on the Wednesday of the Congress which runs from 31 October until 2 November at the SECC in Glasgow. "The issue of invasive species is a growing one," explains Dr Hugh Evans, head of the tree health division at Forest Research, an agency for the Forestry Commission and chairman and session organiser. "We hope that these sessions will raise awareness of the increasing risks associated with current global trade which is providing multiple pathways for invasive species especially pests, both insects and pathogens, and weeds." The invited papers are targeted at a range of organisms and regulatory issues. The first, presented by Professor Jeff Waage, Imperial College, is entitled "Non-native species: changing patterns mean changing policy issues". It will set the tone for the session, providing a broad overview of the various pest species, the rate and changing pattern of invasions, the economic impact and linking science with policy. Professor Waage will be taking an interesting, retrospective approach to the issue and will also be talking about the Defra review on invasive species. A provocative title, for the second invited paper "Nursery crimes; agriculture as victim and perpetrator in the spread of invasive species," is given by Dr Philip Hulme, CEH, Banchory, who will be looking at the human caused factors leading to the appearance of alien plant species in new locations. A lot of non-native species are brought into the country for use in farming, forestry, aquaculture and for recreational purposes often without appreciation of the consequences. Dr Hulme will give examples of the impact that some alien species such as Japanese Knotweed (Fallopia japonica), Giant Hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum) and aquatic fairy fern (Azolla filiculoides) can have on the natural environment and will consider the future and policy issues in terms of the EU’s commitment to minimising the international movement of alien species. Dr Joan Webber from Forest Research, will present a paper entitled "Global pathways for tree pathogens; the challenges of Phytophthora species as invasive threats" which will look at the threats to forests and woodlands from fungal pathogens. Pathogens in the genus Phytophthora provide excellent case studies to illustrate how pathogens have been introduced due to global trade and travel and how quickly they adapt to new environments. As Dr Evans comments, "A new species Phytophthora alni, was only discovered in 1993, and has caused problems in populations of alder trees. At least 15% of riverside alders are now affected in the UK. The problem is still growing with the motile spores being easily spread along the riverbank." Rounding off the invited paper session is a joint paper from Defra, the Forestry Commission and CSL. Presented by Mr Steve Ashby, Defra Plant Health Division, York, "The challenge of legislating against invasive non-native species", will consider the importance of import inspections and Pest Risk Analysis. It will assess high risk pathways which can result in the spread of species such as the Asian longhorn beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis) and consider Defra's review of non-native species. Linking in with the invited papers is a session with five submitted scientific papers which illustrate the problems of invasive species with specific case studies. "Those in the field have been working together on invasive species especially pathogens and plants," explained Dr Evans, "These are global threats and our goal is to improve decisions about prevention and control. We hope these Congress sessions will highlight the issues and offer some practical solutions for the future." In addition to the Congress sessions, invasive species will be featured at this year's BCPC Exhibition, which runs alongside the Congress in Hall 5 of the SECC. Defra Plant Health and CSL will focus on invasive plants and diseases on Stand 6, whilst Herbiseed will be exhibiting live examples of plants which have become invasive weeds on Stand 21. For further information on the Congress and Exhibition, and how to register as a delegate, visit the BCPC Congress website on www.bcpc.org/Congress2005 or Tel: +44 (0) 1420 593 200. |
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