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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><!--StartFragment --><FONT face="Times New Roman"
size=3> <FONT face=Arial size=2>Dear All,</FONT></FONT>
<P class=content>Please find hereafter infomation about a forthcoming conference
dedicated to Biological Invasions in Belgium, that will take place in Brussels,
9-10 March 2006. Information background, programme, registration form, etc. are
availabe at : <A
href="http://www.biodiversity.be/invasions">www.biodiversity.be/invasions</A>
(English version is already active; French and Dutch versions will be activated
in a near future).</P>
<P class=content>'SOS invasions !' is an initiative which aims to review
scientific knowledge and raise awareness on biological invasions in Belgium: how
frequent they are, how they can be detected, how they spread in the environment,
what is their origin, what is their impact within key economic sectors, which
new species are expected to invade our country in a close future, etc.
<BR><BR>This will be organised as a two-days event. The first day will focus on
ongoing scientific research on biological invasions in Belgium and is mainly
dedicated to researchers. Note that workshop programme is already full but that
any poster submission is still very welcome. The second day is intended for
a broader audience, including decision makers, field managers and journalists;
it will demonstrate how biological invasions can produce drastic detrimental
impact on economy and environment and why they have to be considered as a high
priority issue in Belgium.<BR><BR>Discussions will mainly focus on legislative
tools and best practices to prevent the introduction of invasive species in new
areas and to mitigate the impact of introduced species on environment, economy
and public health.</P>
<P class=content>This event is organised by the Belgian Biodiversity Platform,
the Belgian Focal Point for the Convention on Biological Diversity and the
INPLANBEL project. It is sponsorised by the Science Policy Office and the FPS
Health, Food , Chain Savety and Environment.</P>
<P class=content>Please feel free to register on conference website and to
circulate the information to your colleagues. Very best regards,</P>
<P class=content>Etienne Branquart</P></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial
size=2>==========================================================================<BR> <BR>Dr.
Etienne Branquart<BR>Belgian Biodiversity Platform (SPO)<BR> <BR>Ministere
de la Region wallonne<BR>Centre de Recherche de la Nature, des Forets et du Bois
(DGRNE)<BR>Avenue Marechal Juin, 23<BR>B-5030 Gembloux- Belgium<BR> <BR>Tel
: + 32 (0)81 620 420<BR>Fax : + 32 (0)81 620 436<BR>E-mail :
<A
href="mailto:E.Branquart@mrw.wallonie.be">E.Branquart@mrw.wallonie.be</A><BR>URL:
<A
href="http://www.biodiversity.be">http://www.biodiversity.be</A><BR> <BR>==========================================================================<BR> <BR>Ce
message n'engage aucunement la DGRNE et reste informel. Tout
courrier<BR>officiel doit toujours actuellement être confirmé par lettre et
revêtu de la<BR>signature d'un agent dûment
mandaté<BR>==========================================================================<BR></FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>