'Alien' wildlife in Europe wreaks €12bn damage a year, study shows [View all]

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http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2013/feb/21/alien-wildlife-europe-damage


A red swamp crayfish. 'Alien' species cost the European economy €12bn a year, a study shows. Photograph: FLPA/Alamy

Animals and plants brought to Europe from other parts of the world are a bigger-than-expected threat to health and the environment costing at least €12bn (£10bn) a year, according to a study published on Thursday.

More than 10,000 "alien" species have gained a foothold in Europe, from Asian tiger mosquitoes to North American ragweed, and at least 1,500 are known to be harmful, the European Environment Agency (EEA) said.

"In many areas, ecosystems are weakened by pollution, climate change and fragmentation. Alien species invasions are a growing pressure on the natural world which are extremely difficult to reverse," said Jacqueline McGlade, head of the EEA.

Introduced species that suddenly thrive in a new home in Europe, including parakeets from Africa or water hyacinth from the Amazon, were estimated to cost Europe at least €12bn a year, according to the 118-page study.