The European Commission has just launched a Consultation on a dedicated legislative instrument on invasive alien species. If you wish to take part in this then please complete the questionnaire which can be found at:
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/consultations/invasive_aliens.htm
Please note that the consultation closes on Thursday 12 April.
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/
From the 1st January 2012 there are harmonised conditions for pet dogs, cats and ferrets that travel throughout the entire EU, including Ireland. Pets entering Ireland from the EU will require:
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:
Booking of places on the 2012 invasive species workshop roadshow is now open.
The three workshop dates and locations are:
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
For your information, please note that the STRIVE Report 83:
Final Report: Alien invasive species in Irish water bodies
Authors: Prof. Christine Maggs et al.
This is now been released as an On-line publication.
For more information on the project and to view the full and synthesis reports go to the project website pages:
http://invasives.biodiversityireland.ie/home/collaborations/strive/
