Regulation (EU) No 1143/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council in October 22nd 2014 on the prevention and management of the introduction and spread of invasive alien species is binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.
EU:s website Invasive Alien Species (EC Environment) contains information about preparation, and finances and follow-ups of the Act. The List of Invasive Alien Species of Union concern can be considered as a collage of invasive alien species of EU importance. Short descriptions of the species can be found in the brochure IAS of Union Concern (pdf) and in the info cards of species in the website Vieraslajit.fi.
EASIN European Alien Species Information Network is an initiative of the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission. EASIN is appointed as the information system facilitating the implementation of the EU Regulation No 1143/2014.
Species on the list of invasive alien species of Union concern are classified as invasive alien species throughout the EU, their importation, cultivation, sales and other possession or release into the environment are prohibited.
Act on managing the risks caused by alien species (1709/2015). This Act lays down additional provisions for the application of Regulation (EU) No 1143/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the prevention and control of the introduction and spread of harmful alien species.
Grounds for the law: Government proposal HE 82/2015 (in Finnish). The Government's proposal to Parliament for laws on the management of risks arising from alien species and amending the Nature Conservation Act and the Hunting Act.
The Alien Species Act stipulates how the EU Alien Species Regulation is implemented in Finland. In addition, the law stipulates the species in the national alien species list that can be considered harmful in Finnish conditions, as well as the control of other alien species, although they are not, at least for the time being, included in the official lists of alien species.
Government Decree on the Management of Risks from Alien Species (704/2019).
The explanatory memorandum to the Government Decree (in Finnish) of May 23rd 2019 on the management of risks arising from alien species explains the criteria for compiling the national list.
The national list of alien species includes those alien species that are not included in the EU list but can be considered harmful in Finnish conditions (entry into force on June 1st 2019). The national list is regulated by a Government decree and updated as necessary.
Harmful alien species included in the national list may not be imported into Finland. The species may not be grown, sold or marketed. However, a Government decree may stipulate that a prohibition does not apply to a national species or its specific use. However, the release of an alien species into the environment is always prohibited.
The management measures for IAS in Finland are selected based on the risk arising from the species and the costs and benefits of the prevention measures. The risk assessment is based on the typical qualities of the species, their harmful effects, their opportunities to spread and thrive in our climate, the current stage of their spreading, their current distribution and the prevention measures available. A management plan addresses the prevention of occurrences of alien species and describes the responsible parties and cooperation partners for the implementation of the measures, as well as presenting a schedule for the implementation.
Owners may keep the pets which are included on the IAS list of Union or national concern until the end of the animal's natural life. The condition for being allowed to do so is that the animal was kept as a pet before its inclusion on the list. The owner must also ensure that neither reproduction nor escape are possible. Very long-lived animals, such as red-eared slider, that are included in the Union IAS list may be given away to a new owner for non-commercial purposes. The new owner must ensure that neither reproduction nor escape are possible.
Quarantine pests and diseases should be reported to the Finnish Food Authority according to COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING REGULATION (EU) 2019/2072 (Appendix II) of 28 November 2019 establishing uniform conditions for the implementation of Regulation (EU) 2016/2031 of the European Parliament and the Council, as regards protective measures against pests of plants, and repealing Commission Regulation (EC) No 690/2008 and amending Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/2019.
Legislation concerning invasive alien species has been enacted and enforced in certain sectors in Finland. Provisions on alien species are included, among others, in the Hunting Act (615/1993), the Fishing Act (286/1982), the Animal Disease Act (441/2013) and, with regard to plant pest eradication, in the Act on Protecting Plant Health (702/2003, 2 §, 4 §, 6 §, 7 §, 10 §, 11 §, 12 §), the Plant Propagation Material Act, the Seedlings Act (1205/1994) and the Seed Trade Act (728/2000). The provisions of the Forest Act (1093/1996), the Forest Insect and Fungi Damage Prevention Act (263/1991) and the Act on Trade in Forest Reproductive Material(241/2002) may also be applied to alien species.
In addition to the above, the following may be considered indirectly to address alien species: the Act on Preventing Wild Oat (185/2002), the Animal Welfare Act (247/1996), the Decree of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry on the animal disease requirements relating to imports from countries outside the European Community of certain live animals and their embryos and gametes (866/2008), the Water Act (264/1961 30§), the Environmental Protection Act (86/2000, 12 §, 25 §, 27 § ), the Act on Water Resources Management (1299/2004) and the Public Order Act (612/2003).