Background to project

The Integrated Catchment Solutions Programme’s (iCASP) Invasive Non Native Species (INNS) project started in 2019. The project will draw upon research evidence and expertise on biosecurity, GIS modelling, stakeholder engagement, policy development and behavioural change to support local authorities to adopt and embed good biosecurity practices across their work.

A key outcome of the project will be new strategies embedded across Yorkshire’s local authorities that can be applied to catchments elsewhere to slow the spread of INNS and help address the costs of treating and controlling INNS infestations.

Project partners: Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council, Environment Agency, Dales to Vales Rivers Network, Leeds City Council, Yorkshire Invasive Species Forum, Yorkshire Water, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust

Risk Analysis

Through analysis of the existing literature, data gathered through programmes such as INNS mapper, and observations and records held by local authorities, the project will develop a better understanding of the range of activities undertaken by, or on behalf of, local authorities and the potential of these activities to spread INNS. Strategies and policies can then be developed to reduce or even prevent further spread of INNS.

Driving policy change

iCASP provided written evidence, and Dr Alison Dunn who leads the INNS project at University of Leeds gave oral evidence, to the Environmental Audit Committees’ inquiry into Invasive Species in 2019. A key point made in the inquiry report was that

“…it is hundreds to thousands of times cheaper to prevent invasive species from establishing, rather than tackling them once they are established. Biosecurity and closing pathways are critical first lines of defence to prevent the introduction of INNS.”

This, combined with the fact that currently the cost of INNS to the UK economy is estimated to be £1.8bn a year, demonstrates why this project is important for helping tackle the problem of INNS.

Resources

Resources relating to the project are available from the iCASP website for anyone to download for free and new resources will continue to be added.

Get in touch

For more information about the project contact icasp@leeds.ac.uk