35434 PAPER NO. 109 Public Disclosure Authorized BIODIVERSITY SERIES The Aid Trade International Assistance Public Disclosure Authorized Programs as Pathways for the Introduction of Invasive Alien Species A Preliminary Report Public Disclosure Authorized Sean T. Murphy Oliver D. Cheesman (CABI Bioscience, UK Centre) March 2006 Public Disclosure Authorized THE WORLD BANK ENVIRONMENT DEPARTMENT The Aid Trade International Assistance Programs as Pathways for the Introduction of Invasive Alien Species A Preliminary Report Sean T. Murphy Oliver D. Cheesman (CABI Bioscience, UK Centre) March 2006 Papers in this series are not formal publications of the World Bank. They are circulated to encourage thought and discussion. The use and citation of this paper should take this into account. The views expressed are those of the authors and should not be attributed to the World Bank. Copies are available from the Environment Department of the World Bank by calling 202-473-3641. © The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development/THE WORLD BANK 1818 H Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20433, U.S.A. Manufactured in the United States of America First printing March 2006 Biodiversity Series — Impact Studies The Impact Studies are a subset of the Biodiversity Series of the World Bank’s Environment Department papers. These studies are published to encourage discussion about the impacts of human activities on biodiversity. This paper is published as a contribution to the Global Invasive Species Programme. The following studies have been published in this series: Biodiversity Conservation in the Context of Tropical Forest Management Hunting of Wildlife in Tropical Forests — Implications for Biodiversity and Forest Peoples Mainstreaming Biodiversity in Development — Case Studies from South Africa Seeing the Wildlife and the Trees — Improving Timber Certification to Conserve Tropical Forest Wildlife The Aid Trade — International Assistance Programs as Pathways for the Introduction of Invasive Alien Species All publications are available electronically on www.worldbank.org/biodiversity Contents PREFACE v EXECUTIVE SUMMARY vii Chapter 1 — Introduction 1 Invasive Alien Species, Vectors and Pathways 1 Addressing IAS vectors and pathways 2 Chapter 2 — Invasive Alien Species — Dispersal and the Evolution of Vectors and Pathways 5 Understanding IAS Introductions in Terms of Species Dispersal 5 The Impact of Human Activity on the Movement of Species 5 Understanding Vectors and Pathways for IAS Introductions 7 International Assistance and IAS Introductions 8 Chapter 3 — Development Programs 11 Background 11 Agriculture 11 (Agro)forestry 14 Aquaculture 15 Biological control 16 Construction projects 16 Development Assistance Programs 17 Unintentional introductions 18 Intentional introductions 18 Chapter 4 — Disaster Relief Programs 21 Background 21 Disaster Relief Programs 21 Chapter 5 — Military Assistance Programs 23 Background 23 Military Assistance Programs 23 Biodiversity Series — Impact Studies iii The Aid Trade — International Assistance Programs as Pathways for the Introduction of Invasive Alien Species Chapter 6 — Existing Prevention Schemes 25 Prevention Frameworks 25 Effectiveness and “Gaps” 26 Chapter 7 — Closing Pathways for IAS Resulting from International Assistance Programs 29 Some Immediate Considerations and Actions? 29 Appendix — Contaminant Species in Incoming Rice Seed Shipments at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Los Banos, Laguna, Philippines 33 BIBLIOGRAPHY 35 BOXES 1 The Global Invasive Species Programme (GISP) 3 2 International Regulatory Instruments Relevant to Prevention of IAS 26 3 Invasive Alien Species, Agricultural Development, and the Aid Trade 30 4 Some Common Biological Characters of Invasive Alien Species 31 TABLES 1 Detection of insects, weed seeds, and soil in incoming rice seed shipments received from various regions of the world at the Seed Health Unit, IRRI 33 2 Fungi and nematodes frequently detected in rice seed imports received at the Seed Health Unit, IRRI 33 iv Environment Department Papers Preface An earlier version of the manuscript was typically associated with such programs, for prepared by first author on behalf of the Global example, agricultural and other development Invasive Species Programme (GISP). GISP is projects in a wider sense. This approach clearly an international coalition of biologists, natural illustrates the likely, substantial threat of IAS resource managers, economists, and policy problems arising from international assistance. It makers working to prevent the spread of harmful should also be noted, however, that although the invasive alien species (IAS) through improved precise circumstances of many of the introductions control systems and strategic long term planning. described here are not detailed in the literature, The identification of IAS introduction vectors anecdotal reports do link them to international and pathways (through accidental and deliberate programs. One of the recommendations made introduction of species), and appropriate, targeted here is for an urgent, fuller assessment of the responses, are considered key to its success. In problem to allow a more thorough investigation. this context, GISP has identified the vectors and Nevertheless a number of precautionary actions pathways associated with international assistance could be taken already. programs as being of particular concern. This discussion paper is sponsored by the World Wherever possible, this report has been based on Bank and CABI, both institutions concerned published sources to ensure that the information with delivering development assistance. It presented is reliable and traceable. This has was produced to raise awareness about the highlighted one of the main constraints in costs and problems associated with IAS and reviewing the role that international assistance as a contribution towards promoting more programs have played, and continue to play, in environmentally sustainable development. the introduction of IAS: very few specific accounts A number of people have provided valuable have been published. This lack of published information and advice in the preparation of this accounts only emphasizes the extent to which report. In this regard, we are grateful to Megan the threats posed by IAS introductions have been Quinlan, Jeff Waage, John Bridge, Rob Reeder, overlooked thus far by many agencies engaged in Dennis Rangi, Peter Neuenschwander, Kathy international operations. MacKinnon, Chagema Kedera, Ravi Kheterpal, Robert Paterson, Carla Little, Jamie Reaser, Nick Because of the lack of published accounts of Pasiecznik, Jim Space, Gad Perry, Phoebe Barnard, IAS problems associated with international David Duthie, Chris Buddenhagen, Ian Faithfull, assistance programs, much of this report outlines Bob Ikin, David Le Maitre, Carnet Williams and IAS problems that have arisen through activities Devinder Sharma for their contributions. Biodiversity Series — Impact Studies v Executive Summary It is now recognized that invasive alien species prediction of future risks. The available information (IAS) pose a major threat to agricultural and on IAS as a result of international assistance natural ecosystems and to human health and programs is scattered, poorly documented, livelihoods. These non-native species, which are and difficult to come by. Here, international accidentally or intentionally introduced into new assistance is taken to include development areas, range from microbes to mammals. One of programs (particularly in relation to agriculture, the major disturbing features of IAS problems is (agro)forestry and aquaculture), disaster relief that they are on the increase globally. Reasons programs, and military assistance programs with for the increased threat are multi-faceted and a humanitarian remit (such as peace-keeping interlinked. Natural barriers to species movement operations conducted under the auspices of the have been breached over the last few centuries, United Nations). In this review, a preliminary but particularly in the 20th Century, through assessment is made of IAS problems resulting increased volumes and speed of international from these three types of activity. Because most trade, transportation, and human movement. accounts of IAS introductions under humanitarian The enormous potential for accidental species assistance programs are anecdotal, the number introductions is demonstrated by the numbers of specific cases identified here is relatively small. of pest, disease, and other organisms intercepted Background information is therefore presented by quarantine units tasked with the inspection of which illustrates how the types of activity typically imported consignments. Such quarantine units associated with development programs are well are usually associated with the agricultural sector, known to contribute to the global spread of IAS. within which the importance of having appropriate It is clear that the issue of IAS and international measures for the prevention and mitigation assistance warrants further and more extensive of IAS problems has long been appreciated. study. More recently, recommendations arising from Conference of the Parties (in particular COP5 and International assistance programs can facilitate COP6) to the Convention on Biological Diversity both deliberate and unintentional IAS have included the urgent need to protect the wider introductions. Such misjudgments and accidents environment from IAS. are costly; indeed, their negative effects may