http://ec.europa.eu/environment/consultations/invasive_aliens.htm

Please note that the consultation closes on Thursday 12 April.

Distribution maps for 51 species have been updated including a map being added for the following species:

• Ship rat (Rattus rattus) also known as black rat

Download a pdf of  distribution maps for the 98 invasive species or access their interactive maps and additional information on the species through the  species search browser.

Press Release

For immediate release: 23 January 2012

Red squirrels threatened by the presence of squirrel pox virus in Ireland – plea to report infected animals

Red squirrels infected with the squirrel pox virus in five locations on the island of Ireland have been confirmed.  Confirmed reports are from counties Antrim, Down, Wicklow and Dublin. At one location in Northern Ireland approximately 90% of the red squirrel population was lost. In the other locations infected animals range from one to a few being reported.

The virus has emerged as a new threat to the red squirrel in Ireland. Red squirrels with squirrel pox virus rapidly develop myxomatosis type symptoms and die soon after.

Red squirrels are a protected species in Ireland but due to loss of their habitat size and quality and competition from the invasive grey squirrel, their populations have been decreasing in Ireland.

The squirrel pox virus is carried by grey squirrels but they do not appear to suffer from it. It is not clear why the disease is now turning up in Irish red squirrels. The disease is generally fatal to red squirrels and has been a significant factor in the decline of the red squirrel across England.

A species alert has been issued for the squirrel pox virus. Colette O’ Flynn, manager of the National Invasive Species Database is asking people to “please report all suspected sightings of infected red squirrels noting when and where you saw the animal. Look out for red squirrels (alive or dead) with wet, discharging lesions or scabs around the eyes, ears, mouth, feet and genitalia. If alive, they may be very lethargic in their behaviour”.  Mrs O’ Flynn notes that “if possible please also take and submit a photograph of the infected animal as this will help confirm the sighting”.

Sightings can be e-mailed to: invasives@biodiversityireland.ie or submitted to Alien Watch http://invasivespeciesireland.com/alien-watch/.  A message can also be left on 051 306248 but please also give contact details.

Ends

Notes for Editors

Primary contact:  Colette O’ Flynn            Tel: 00 353 51 306240

Email: coflynn@biodiversityireland.ie Website: http://invasive@biodiversityireland.ie

Secondary contact:  John Kelly   Tel: 0044 785 906 8460

Email  john@invasivespeciesireland.com Website http://www.invasivespeciesireland.com/

• Colette O’ Flynn is available for interviews on this subject.  Contact details above.
• Photos of infected red squirrels are available on request however; some of these may be disturbing to see.
• The scientific name for the red squirrel is Sciurus vulgaris. The scientific name for the grey squirrel is Sciurus carolinensis.
• The squirrel pox virus was first reported from Northern Ireland in March 2011.
• National Parks and Wildlife Service issued a press release on the virus on 13/12/2011. http://www.npws.ie/news/name,13153,en.html
• Department of Environment Northern Ireland press releases: http://www.northernireland.gov.uk/news-doe-01042011-new-threat-for
• http://www.northernireland.gov.uk/news-doe-160611-new-outbreak-of
• View RTE Six One News coverage (Jan, 2011) http://www.rte.ie/news/2012/0119/squirrel.html

The National Invasive Species Database provides up-to-date centralised information on the distribution of invasive species in Ireland. It answers the questions: What invasive species do we have in Ireland? Where exactly are they? The database has been developed as a resource to assist recording, monitoring and surveillance programmes, and provides an early warning system for invasive species.

The associated website: http://invasives.biodiversityireland.ie is a portal to the searchable database that is linked to interactive GIS distribution maps with full record information on invasive species sightings.  The website also contains Species Alerts that are issued when confirmed sightings of potentially invasive species arrive in Ireland, database up-dates, an Invasive Species Survey where people are urged to report sightings of eight of Ireland’s most unwanted invasive plants and record submission facility.

The National Invasive Species Database is joint funded by The Heritage Council and The Environmental Protection Agency and was established by the National Biodiversity Data Centre in 2008.

The Invasive Species Ireland project is a joint venture between the Northern Ireland Environment Agency and the National Parks and Wildlife Service.

The Invasive Species Ireland project aims to substantially reduce the impact of invasive species on Irish biodiversity, to contribute to halting the biodiversity loss by 2010 and beyond; and to minimise economic and social costs caused by invasive species.

Through partnership working, the vision for Invasive Species Ireland is that the island of Ireland will have a high performing system for managing invasive species risks to the economy, environment and human health. The project is working with stakeholders, partners, and the people of Ireland and Northern Ireland to develop an understanding of, and confidence in the systems required to achieve effective prevention and management of invasive species.

For more information on the Invasive Species Ireland project see www.invasivespeciesireland.com

• Passport/certificate showing identification
• Subsequent rabies vaccination at least 21 days before entry
• Specific tapeworm treatment of all pet dogs

Pets travelling from other qualifying (low risk) countries can also travel into Ireland on the same conditions as set out above.

Pet entry requirements into Ireland from the UK:

From the 1st January 2012 the requirement is that all pets travelling from the UK to Ireland should be microchipped and accompanied by a pet passport.

As both Ireland and the UK have had no indigenous rabies for many decades, compliance checks on pets travelling between the two countries will not be applied. Pet owners travelling with their pets should therefore not experience any change on the ground from the 1st January.

Pets travelling from other non-qualifying (high risk) countries can also travel into Ireland without quarantine provided the pet has a passport/certificate showing identification and a subsequent rabies vaccination.  At least 30 days after rabies vaccination a pet must be blood tested to confirm a neutralising antibody titration at least equal to 0.5 IU/ml. A pet may enter Ireland only when at least three months has expired since a successful blood-test.

For further information go to the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine website:

www.agriculture.gov.ie/pets/

The three workshop dates and locations are:

• Tuesday, July 17th – The Museum, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary
• Thursday, July 19th – Columbans Dalgan Park, Navan, Co. Meath
• Saturday, July 21st – Bray Recycling Centre Offices, Bray, Co. Wicklow

The workshops are given by Colette O’ Flynn, Manager of the National Invasive Species Database and are hosted in association with South Tipperary County Council, Meath County Council and Wicklow County Council.

This is the third year of the roadshow which introduces  attendees to invasive species in Ireland, what they are, how they are invasive, what to look out for and gives an up-date account on what is happening in Ireland with legislation, policy and projects.

Training on identification of some of Ireland’s invasive species and recording of them are key skills to be learnt on the day. Weather permitting, a field trip in the afternoon will also take place.

The workshops will rum from 10am to 4pm and cost 20 Euro per person.

Bookings:

Places are limited so advance booking and payment is essential. For further information please contact Maria Walsh, National Biodiversity Data Centre, WIT West Campus, Carriganore, Waterford.

Tel: 051 306 240 or email: info@biodiversityireland.ie

This roadshow is part of the National Biodiversity Data Centre’s Identifying and Recording Ireland’s Biodiversity workshop programme.

www.biodiversityireland.ie/wp-content/uploads/2012-Workshops-web2.pdf