Invasive Alien Species
What saps Canada's economy of billions of dollars annually, threatens the diversity of native animals and plants, and is even a risk to our health? While the impacts are enormous, the answer can be microscopic: invasive alien species.
These are animals, plants or micro-organisms either accidentally or deliberately introduced into Canada that damage the environment, economy or even our health. From Canada's farms to cities, these exotic pests are now household names: Dutch Elm disease, zebra mussels, West Nile disease and the Asian Long Horned Beetle.
It's an age-old problem that's only getting worse with increasing globalization. And it's a problem that needs scientific insight for solutions. With this in mind, the Government of Canada has identified invasive alien species as a top priority for integrated science and technology.
At the heart of Canada's proactive approach to battling invasive alien species is the newInvasive Alien Species Strategy for Canada. Led by Environment Canada, the strategy involves the coordinated input of 15 departments of the Government of Canada.
The strategy takes a preventative approach. This involves setting up "road blocks" along the key pathways which bring unwanted species into Canada.
Discharged ballast water from ships is the largest single source of unwanted aquatic "hitchhikers" into Canada. To battle this, Fisheries and Oceans Canada is conducting research exploring a range of issues including identifying the species found in ballast water, where this water can be safely released and innovative new ways to treat the water prior to its release.
Scientists at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) are developing new ways to predict which foreign plant species and their insect and microbial pests could cause biological havoc in Canada. They're also developing ways to quickly limit the spread of already introduced pests. For example, in collaboration with the Canadian Forest Service of Natural Resources Canada, CFIA is helping to stop the spread of the Emerald Ash Borer in southern Ontario.
It's all research that's informing Canada's international efforts to stop these unwelcome species before they even arrive. In 2004, Canada's input on the International Plant Protection Convention helped ensure a new requirement that all international packing materials be treated with pesticide.