News
| Construction and transport industries take on aliens |
| 08/06/2009 |
| A new best practice manual will be launched on Tuesday (9th June) to help industry tackle some of the problems caused by invasive non-native species. The manual has been developed by the Construction Industry Research and Information Association (CIRIA) and is aimed at a wide range of infrastructure managers. It will be launched at a special seminar on non-native species, organised by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) along with CIRIA, the Scottish Government and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency. The focus will be on plants and animals that spread rapidly, become dominant, and have a negative impact on both local biodiversity and the built environment. Representatives from sectors including quarrying, transport and utility management will be sharing their experiences in the often very costly process of dealing with the problem. SNH’s Robin Payne said: “Scotland’s biodiversity is continually under threat from invasive non-native species, such as American mink, grey squirrel and Rhododendron. Very often the impacts of these affect commercial businesses who then have to take costly action to deal with them. This event is about bringing industry and nature conservation together to draw on experience both sectors have built up in dealing with these problem species to develop a well informed and structured approach that will be more effective and less costly.” Chris Chiverrell from CIRIA added: “Infrastructure owners and operators and the construction industry can all play a part in managing the current problems caused by invasive species and their progressive spread. The cumulative damage, cost to the economy, current prevention and control measures of invasives needs to be better understood and appreciated by a wider audience than currently engaged, hence the importance of this event which is targeting an otherwise difficult to get to audience Minister for Environment, Roseanna Cunningham, welcomed publication of the new manual. She said: “Invasive non-native species can threaten biodiversity and, in some cases, create great economic damage. To address this issue, the Scottish Government launched a strategy last year, calling for greater awareness and for a stronger sense of shared responsibility across Government, key stakeholders, land managers and the general public. “The Construction Industry Research and Information Association are to be congratulated on what is a very positive initiative. Their manual will inform and assist a key sector to take their share of responsibility for actions helping to control the impacts of this significant problem.” Ends. Scottish Natural Heritage is the Government’s advisor on all aspects of nature and landscape across Scotland. Our role is to help everyone understand, value and enjoy Scotland’s nature now and in the future. For further information on SNH, please visit our website at www.snh.org.uk For further information: Calum Macfarlane, SNH Inverness, 01463 725020 |