Regional Directives and Conventions

Agreement	Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Bern Convention) Adopted: 1979; In force: 1982
Special section(s) relevant to alien species	In Article 11, paragraph 2.b of the Convention, each Contracting Party undertakes to strictly control the introduction of non-native species. The Bern Convention has produced The European Strategy on Invasive Alien Species (pdf-file; 181 kb) as well as a report on Identification of non-native freshwater fishes established in Europe and assessment of their potential threats to the biological diversity. Recommendation No. 57 (1997) on the Introduction of Organisms belonging to Non-Native Species into the Environment Recommendation No. 91 (2002) on Invasive Alien Species that threaten biological diversity in Islands and geographically and evolutionary isolated ecosystems Recommendation No. 77 (1999) on the eradication of non-native terrestrial vertebrates Recommendation No. 99 (2003) on the European Strategy on Invasive Alien Species, which recommends that Contracting Parties: draw up and implement national strategies on invasive alien species taking into account the European Strategy on Invasive Alien Species. And co-operate, as appropriate, with other Contracting Parties and Observer States in prevention, mitigation and eradication or containment of aliens species.
Content and coverage of regulation	The Bern Convention is a binding international legal instrument in the field of nature conservation and itt aim to conserve wild flora and fauna and their natural habitats and to promote European co-operation in that field. Several recommendations under the convention have dealt with alien species. The Recommendation No. 77 (1999) on the eradication of non-native terrestrial vertebrates is very concrete and recommends the eradication of: Mustela vison (American mink), Ondatra zibethicus (Muskrat), Myocastor coypus (Coypu), Sciurus carolinensis (Grey squirrel), Oxyura jamaicensis (Ruddy duck), Cervus nippon (Sika deer), Procyon lotor (Raccoon), Nyctereutes procyonoides (Raccoon dog), Castor canadensis (Canadian beaver), Trachemys scripta (Red eared terrapin), Rana catesbeiana (Bull frog).

Agreement	Council Directive 79/409/EEC of 2 April 1979 on the conservation of wild birds (Birds Directive) (as ammended) In force: 1979
Special section(s) relevant to alien species	Article 11 of the directive affirms that member states shall se that any introduction of species of birds which do not occur naturally in the wild state in the european territory of the member states does not prejudice the local flora and fauna.
Content and coverage of regulation	The Directive 79/409/EEC provides a framework for the conservation and management of wild birds in Europe. It sets a broad objective regarding non-native birds, but leaves to the discretion of each Member State how compliance with these objectives is achieved.

Agreement	The Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) Adopted: 1995; In force: 1999
Special section(s) relevant to alien species	Article III,2g: "Parties shall prohibit the deliberate introduction of non-native waterbird species into the environment and take all appropriate measures to prevent the unintentional release of such species if this introduction or release would prejudice the conservation status of wild flora and fauna; when non-native waterbird species have already been introduced, the Parties shall take all appropriate measures to prevent these species from becoming a potential threat to indigenous species;" Action Plan, Article 2,5 on Introductions states: "2.5.1 Parties shall, if they consider it necessary, prohibit the introduction of non-native species of animals and plants which may be detrimental to the populations listed in Table 1. 2.5.2 Parties shall, if they consider it necessary, require the taking of appropriate precautions to avoid the accidental escape of captive birds belonging to non-native species. 2.5.3 Parties shall take measures to the extent feasible and appropriate, including taking, to ensure that when non-native species or hybrids thereof have already been introduced into their territory, those species or their hybrids do not pose a potential hazard to the populations listed in Table 1."
Content and coverage of regulation	The AEWA-Agreement covers 235 bird species that depend on wetlands for at least part of their annual cycle. Geographically the area covers 117 countries from Europe, parts of Asia and Canada, the Middle East and Africa. Throughout the migration systems of the waterbirds the states are to ensure a coordinated approach as well as a wide range of conservation actions (defined in the Action Plan). The Action Plan addresses species and habitat conservation, management of human activities, research and monitoring, education and information, and implementation. Another activity of the AEWA-Agreement is a regular review of the status of each migratory water- bird population within the Agreement area. The introduced Ruddy duck (Oxyura jamaicensis) is the best know case of an aliens species dealt with under the AEWA-Agreement.

Agreement	Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (Habitat Directive) Adopted: 1992; In force: 1992
Special section(s) relevant to alien species	Article 22, b of the Habitat Directive establishes that Member States shall ensure that the deliberate introduction into the wild of any species which is not native to their territory is regulated so as not to prejudice natural habitats within their natural range or the wild native fauna and flora and, if they consider it necessary, prohibit such introduction.
Content and coverage of regulation	The Habitat Directive aims to promote the maintenance of biodiversity in the Member States by defining a common framework for the conservation of wild flora and fauna and habitats of Community interest. The Directive establishes a European ecological network known as "Natura 2000". The Habitat Directive is a part implementation of the CBD Convention at European level.

Agreement	Council Regulation No 88/98/EEC of 18 December 1997 laying down certain technical measures for the conservation of fishery resources in the waters of the Baltic Sea, the Belts and the Sound Adopted: 1997; In force: 1998
Special section(s) relevant to alien species	Article 10, 4 states that: It shall be prohibited to release exotic species into the Baltic Sea, the Belts and the Sound or to fish for exotic species and sturgeon, unless authorised by the rules adopted in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 13 and with the obligations arising from the Gdansk Convention. Exotic species are defined as those which do not occur naturally in the Baltic Sea, the Belts and the Sound.
Content and coverage of regulation	This regulation is very specific, in geographical scope as well as in organisms. In can only be used to prevent the intentional introduction of aliens species.

Agreement	Council Regulation (EC) No 338/97 on the protection of species of wild fauna and flora by regulating trade therein Adopted 1996; In force: 1997 ; Amended: 2003
Special section(s) relevant to alien species	In Article IV, 6d of Council regulation 338/97 it is stated that the Commission may establish restrictions relating to certain countries of origin, on the introduction into the Community of live specimens of species for which it has been established that their introduction into the natural environment of the Community presents an ecological threat to wild species of fauna and flora indigenous to the Community. The appendices included in regulation 1497/2003 mention several invasive species: Oxyura jamaicensis, Trachemys scripta, Rana catesbeiana. The appendices are regularly updated.
Content and coverage of regulation	The CITES convention has been implemented in Europe by Commission Regulation (EC) No 338/97. This Regulation was amended by Commission Regulation (EC) No 1497/2003 of 18 August 2003 amending Council Regulation (EC) No 338/97 on the protection of species of wild fauna and flora by regulating trade therein. In the annexes to the new directive a few invasive alien species that have become threats in importing EU-countries have been included. The alien species regulated through CITES are only the intentional introductions since it is based on an approval system.

Agreement	Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic (HELCOM) Adopted: 1992; In force: 2000
Special section(s) relevant to alien species	Alien species have been dealt with through project such as the creation of the database on alien species in and around the Baltic Sea.
Content and coverage of regulation	The Convention uses a definition of pollution, that enables the HELCOM to also deal with alien species: ""Pollution" means introduction by man, directly or indirectly, of substances or energy into the sea, including estuaries, which are liable to create hazards to human health, to harm living resources and marine ecosystems, to cause hindrance to legitimate uses of the sea including fishing, to impair the quality for use of sea water, and to lead to a reduction of amenities;" Main focus has been on conventional pollution.

Agreement	Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic (OSPAR Convention) Adopted: 1992; In force: 1998
Special section(s) relevant to alien species	In the 2003 Strategy of the OSPAR Commission for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic alien species is listed as one of the candidates of human activities for further analysis as regards actual or potential adverse effect on species and habitats or on ecological processes.
Content and coverage of regulation	The Convention uses a definition of pollution, that enables the OSPAR to also deal with alien species: "Pollution" means the introduction by man, directly or indirectly, of substances or energy into the maritime area which results, or is likely to result, in hazards to human health, harm to living resources and marine ecosystems, damage to amenities or interference with other legitimate uses of the sea."

Agreement	Convention for the Protection of the Alps (Alpine Convention) Adopted: ;1991 In force: 1991
Special section(s) relevant to alien species	Article 17, 1 in the protocol on nature conservation and landscape protection states that contracting parties should ensure the no introduction of non-native plants or animals takes place.
Content and coverage of regulation	The Alpine Convention is a framework convention aiming at the preservation of the natural ecosystem of the Alps and the promotion of sustainable development in this area, protecting, at the same time, both the economic and cultural interests of the resident population of the Alpine region.

Agreement	Convention Concerning Fishing in the Waters of the Danube Adopted: 1958; In force: 1958 (for five year periods for each state)
Special section(s) relevant to alien species	Article 10 states:"The acclimatization and breeding of new species of fish and other animals and of acquatic plants in the waters of the Danube to which the Convention applies may not be carried out save with the consent of the Mixed Commission."
Content and coverage of regulation	The Convention is an agreement to regulate fishing in the waters of the Danube throughout its course within the territory of the Contracting Parties to the point of entry into the Black Sea, including the Danube Delta.