Study on invasive alien species – development of risk assessments to tackle priority species and enhance prevention. Final report

There is a need to provide evidence-based assessments of the risks posed by invasive alien species (IAS) to underpin policies and prioritise action. Here we present ten risk assessments and associated management annexes for IAS selected following a prioritisation exercise. The selected species were Acridotheres tristis (common myna), Chrysemys picta (painted turtle), Gambusia affinis (western mosquitofish) and G. holbrooki (eastern mosquitofish), Lampropeltis getula (common kingsnake), Limnoperna fortunei (golden mussel), Orconectes rusticus (rusty crayfish), Solenopsis invicta (red imported fire ant), Trichosurus vulpecula (common brushtail possum), Plotosus lineatus (striped eel catfish), Arthurdendyus triangulatus (New Zealand flatworm). The risk assessments and associated management annexes were produced alongside tasks to develop and maintain a risk assessment template and to collect evidence on management techniques, implementation costs and cost-effectiveness. The risk assessments will be used as evidence to inform whether the target species should be considered for inclusion on the list of invasive alien species of Union concern under Regulation (EU) 1143/2014 on the prevention and management of the introduction and spread of invasive alien species (the IAS Regulation).