European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization Council of Europe – Bern Convention Ministero de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación  de España Ministero de Medio Ambiante de España

EPPO/CoE Workshop - How to manage invasive alien plants?
The case studies of Eichhornia crassipes and Eichhornia azurea
2008-06-02/04, Mérida, Spain

Context Eichhornia crassipes is an aquatic invasive plant originating from South America. It is extensively traded for ornamental purposes. It is notably known to be invasive in tropical and subtropical regions. In the EPPO region, it is already invasive in Spain, Portugal and Israel. It is listed on the invasive plant list in the UK although it is not recorded in the wild in this country. Eichhornia azurea also originates from South America. It is not traded in huge quantities and is not recorded as naturalized within the EPPO region yet, but has the potential to be invasive. Because the distribution of these two species is still very limited, these plants have been identified as a high priority for Pest Risk Analysis for the EPPO region. They can be considered possible new emerging invaders for the EPPO region which distribution could greatly favour climate change.
All pictures by Ángel Hurtado Nogales Confederación Hidrográfica del Guadiana (ES)

Download the detailed programme of the Workshop

Objectives of the Workshop
An international workshop will be organized on 2-4 June 2008 in Mérida (Spain) and has the following objectives:

• To present EPPO and the Council of Europe’s tools (Pest Risk Analysis, measures and standards, climatic model, etc.) and activities on IAS
• To get a clear picture of the biology, distribution and current or potential impacts of Eichhornia crassipes and E. azurea
• To identify actions to be taken nationally against Eichhornia crassipes and E. azurea.

This workshop will be followed by an EPPO Expert Working Group to perform a Pest Risk Analysis on these plants. This Expert Working Group restricted to EPPO experts nominated by their country and selected by the EPPO Secretariat.

Organizers
This Workshop is co-organised by EPPO and the Council of Europe (The Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats known as 'the Bern Convention'), under the auspices of the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Alimentation and the Ministry of Environment, and the Confederación Hidrográfica del Guadiana.

This Workshop is addressed to:

• Representatives from National Plant Protection Organizations
• Representatives from Ministries of Environment (via the Bern Convention network)
• Researchers and stakeholders of NGOs (UICN, Planta Europa, Biological Control network…)
• Land managers (natural areas, agricultural fields)
• Representatives from the nursery industry

Call for contributions

• the biology of Eichhornia crassipes and E. azurea
• the pathways of entry of the plant: as an ornamental plant, as a contaminant, etc.
• the ability of establishment and spread of Eichhornia crassipes and E. azurea
• impacts of Eichhornia crassipes and E. azurea (economic, environmental, social, etc.)
• management measures of Eichhornia crassipes and E. azurea (mechanical, chemical, biological control, etc.),
• communication action on Eichhornia crassipes and E. azurea

Workshop location and accommodation
The closest airport is in Badajoz (Aeroport of Talavera La Real) flights available via Barcelona or Madrid. Shuttle buses will be organized between Badajoz and Mérida. Details on flights will be requested later.

The Workshop will take place in the Assembly of Extremadura (http://www.asambleaex.es/).

Hotel booking will be arranged by the local organizer in the following hotel, within walking distance of the workshop:
Hotel Velada Mérida
Avda. Reina Sofia, s/n
06800 Mérida (Badajoz)
España
Tel.: +34 924 315 110
Fax: +34 924 311 552
Website: http://www.veladahoteles.com/merida/home.php

For any assistance or additional information please contact:
Angel Hurtado,
Confederación Hidrográfica del Guadiana
E-mail : ahurtado@pycsa.es

There is no registration fee.
A field trip will be organized on 2008-06-04 to see Eichhornia crassipes in an invasive situation.

Back to calendar of EPPO meetings