An introduction to the invasive alien species of Union concern - Version 2022

Alien species are animals and plants that have been introduced through human action to a new natural environment from other parts of the world. Some alien species have been brought to the European Union (EU) deliberately, including the American skunk cabbage as an ornamental plant, the pond slider for the pet trade, the signal crayfish for the food indus try, and the coypu for fur farming. Others, such as the Asian hornet or the Indian house crow, have found their way into the EU as passengers on board of ships, or they have been accidentally imported as a contaminant with commercial goods.