(English version) Question for written answer E-002085/20 to the Commission Aurelia Beigneux (ID) (5 April 2020)

Subject: The proliferation of terrestrial

With the intensification of world trade, the importation of invasive has become a scourge for European ecosystems. In some parts of , the most common have been the stink bug and the Asian hornet. But lesser-known species are also destroying European ecosystems. The terrestrial (a species native to ), is an unobtrusive, but equally devastating species. In Europe, it is found in a number of countries (, Portugal, , ).

In February, a team of French researchers published the findings of 7 years’ work (1) . The species is found in seventy-two French departments. It has no natural enemies in Europe which means that it is a predator.

The species eats in the soil: , snails and insects which are essential for the balance of the ecosystem. Soil is a complex environment, with species that interact with each other. Terrestrial flatworms therefore disturb this environment. Counts have made it possible to estimate the production of individuals, per reproduction, at one thousand worms per hectare per day.

1. Does the Commission have a strategy to help scientists develop protocols for this species which is damaging the soil ecosystem in Europe?

2. If so, can it outline this strategy?

Answer given by Mr Sinkevičius on behalf of the European Commission (29 June 2020)

Regulation (EU) 1143/2014 (2) provides the EU framework for action against invasive alien species (IAS). In particular, it foresees the adoption of a list of IAS of Union concern (3) (the ‘Union list’) as well as a set of measures for addressing these species.

The Commission is aware of the impact of terrestrial flatworms on biodiversity. One terrestrial flatworm species (the Arthurdendyus triangulatus) has been included on the Union list and a risk assessment is being prepared for another species (the flatworm manokwari), which is a prerequisite for it to be considered for inclusion on the Union list.

Representatives of the scientific community appointed by the Member States to the Scientific Forum provide advice on this procedure, as foreseen in Article 28 of Regulation (EU) 1143/2014. So far, no risk assessment of the species referred to in the question ( nungara) is available.

The Commission regularly undertakes the development of new risk assessments and will evaluate whether it is feasible to complete one for this species in line with the respective requirements (4). Any Member State may also undertake such a risk assessment.

|(⋅1∙|) Justine J, Winsor L, Gey D, Gros P, Thévenot J. 2020. Obama chez moi! The invasion of metropolitan by the land (Platyhelminthes, ) PeerJ 8:e8385 |(⋅2∙|) Regulation (EU) No 1143/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 October 2014 on the prevention and management of the introduction and spread of invasive alien species, OJ L 317, 4.11.2014, p. 35‐55. |(⋅3∙|) http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/invasivealien/index_en.htm |(⋅4∙|) Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2018/968 of 30 April 2018 supplementing Regulation (EU) No 1143/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to risk assessments in relation to invasive alien species, OJ L 174, 10.7.2018, p. 5-11.