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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Dear colleagues,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2><FONT face=Arial>I received several e-mails related to the
inclusion or the exclusion of bird species in the black list/category
A (e.g. <!--StartFragment --><FONT size=3> </FONT><FONT
size=-1>Alopochen aegyptiacus,</FONT></FONT><FONT face=Arial><FONT size=3>
</FONT>Branta canadensis and Pisttacula spp.). Olivier Beck (IBGE-BIM) and Anne
Weiserbs (AVES) suggest to include them in the list, mainly on the basis
of the precautionary approach. One problem I see is that we do not have
serious arguments to demonstrate that they are really detrimental to the
environment, at least in the Brussels region (except noise and droppings). On
the other hand, I know by Anny Anselin (INBO) that eradication of Branta
candensis already started in Flanders... </FONT></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2><FONT face=Arial></FONT></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2><FONT face=Arial>My position is as follows : if detrimental
impact is proved > category A, if detrimental impact is only supposed >
category B. That's why </FONT></FONT><FONT size=2><FONT face=Arial>I would
like to know if you are aware of scientific studies showing any detrimental
impact of those bird species in Belgium or in neighbour areas. Thanks a lot in
advance,</FONT></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Etienne</FONT></DIV>
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style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<DIV
style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: black"><B>From:</B>
<A title=E.Branquart@mrw.wallonie.be
href="mailto:E.Branquart@mrw.wallonie.be">BRANQUART Etienne</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A
title=invasive-species@biodiversity.be
href="mailto:invasive-species@biodiversity.be">Invasive alien species in
Belgium</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Cc:</B> <A title=m.depoorter@auckland.ac.nz
href="mailto:m.depoorter@auckland.ac.nz">Maj De Poorter</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Friday, February 03, 2006 6:18
PM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> [Invasive-species] Black and
watch lists of invasive species inBelgium</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Dear All,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I produced a first attempt of black and watch
list of invasive species for Belgium (see word document here attached).
Category definitions were modified to take into account remarks provided by
Leo, Filip, Nora and Roger as much as possible ...</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>We now have two main categories that include
species with a potential impact on environment, public health or economy, i.e.
black and watch lists. It has to be noted that I decided to include in the
black list some species which are not yet really naturalised or do not develop
large populations in Belgium but that are well known to produce
detrimental impacts in neighbour areas (e.g. Aedes, Ambrosia, Ludwigia, etc.).
I think it is important not to omit them so that our list can be used as a
tool to eradicate the first populations of undesirable species soon after
their arrival in Belgium, which is the most cost efficient way to get rid of
them.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>The work file I used to categorise species is
also attached (pdf file). You will see that some species are still not
included in any category as background information was missing... I hope I can
rely on your own expertise on specific taxa to fill those gaps.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I hope we will succeed to finalise these lists as
a product of the Belgian Invasive Species Forum before the SOS invasions
meeting (lists should be distributed to conference attendees !). Any remark,
suggestion, addition to the discussion document are of course very welcome
through the discussion list (general discussion) or through my e-mail
address solely (minor remarks or corrections).</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Thank you in advance for your help. Have a very
nice WE,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Etienne</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>PS: Few economic pest species are included in the
lists up to now. Do you think it is feasible to add major culture pathogens
and pests in the lists (including fungi, nematodes, etc.) ? Do you know
if this information is already available somewhere (AFSCA ? EPPO ?...)
?</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></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>
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