Agenda item 4.1 Invasive Alien Species

SUBSIDIARY BODY ON SCIENTIFIC, TECHNICAL AND TECHNOLOGICAL ADVICE


Fifteenth meeting

Montreal, 7-11 November 2011



Agenda item 4.1 Invasive Alien Species: proposals on ways and means to address gaps in international standards regarding invasive alien species introduced as pets, aquarium and terrarium species, as live bait and live food



* Lucy Mulenkei, IIFB representative indigenous Information Network

* Yvonne Vizina, IIFB representative from the Métis National Council



Thank you Madam Chairperson, Executive Secretary of the CBD, Ladies and Gentlemen…



The IIFB welcomes the reports found in Official Documents 15/6, 15/7 and Information Document 15/Inf/1 that describe the status of knowledge of this agenda item.



Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities acknowledge the work done under the international instruments and share concerns of the global community of the impact of invasive alien species. We know that these species “are one of the major threats to sustainable development, on a par with global warming and the destruction of life-support systems. These aliens come in the form of plants, animals and microbes that have been introduced into an area from other parts of the world, and have been able to displace indigenous species.”



The devastating effects of introduced species have been recorded in history and we must learn from these lessons. Indigenous peoples have often suffered first-hand the effects of introduced biological elements. For example, “The viruses carrying smallpox and measles spread from Europe into the Western Hemisphere shortly following European colonisation.” Indigenous Peoples there had no resistance to these organisms and many thousands of people died on contact. In some cases, entire tribal nations, and the traditional knowledges carried over many thousands of years, were lost.



Although the specific subject matter at hand now is slightly different in that we are talking about regulatory gaps concerning the impacts of invasive plants, animals and microbes but the reality of existing threats to our cultures and ways of life as a result of the accidental or intentional release of these organisms and the disruptions of ecosystems, including the lands, waters, air and energy systems remains.



In this regard, we suggest an addition to Recommendation 10:



10. Further requests the Executive Secretary, with the further inputs of the experts, members of the AHTEG, and in collaboration with the members of the Liaison Group and with the full and effective participation of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities, to prepare proposals for more detailed guidance for Parties on the drafting and implementation of national measures to address the specific gap associated with the introduction of alien animal species as pets, aquarium and terrarium species, and as live bait and live food, in order to complete the tasks set out in the annex to decision X/38;



Finally IIFB could like to add a recommendation under recommendation 12 to read as

(c );

The Executive Secretary to explore methodologies of creating awareness, education and information on invasive alien species to a wider audience including Indigenous Peoples and local communities, the public and other stakeholders.



Madam Chair, we believe this will help us all to have a better understanding and contribution to the management of problems of invasive alien species.