An Invasive Alien Species Strategy for Canada

In September 2004, the Government of Canada introduced An Invasive Alien Species Strategy for Canada. This Strategy aims to minimize the risk of IAS to the environment, economy, and society, and to protect environmental values such as biodiversity and sustainability.

The strategy emphasizes four strategic goals:

• To prevent harmful intentional and unintentional introductions
• To detect and identify new invaders in a timely manner
• To respond rapidly to new invaders
• To manage established and spreading invaders through eradication, containment, and control

• Brochure - An Invasive Alien Species Strategy for Canada

Action Plan for Invasive Alien Terrestrial Plants and Plant Pests

To address the increasing threat of invasive plants and plant pests in Canada, the Government of Canada and its partners have developed an action plan that focuses on strengthening existing programs, identifying gaps and developing new initiatives, and coordinating the efforts of partner agencies and organizations at the federal, provincial and local levels.

• Brochure - Action Plan for Invasive Alien Terrestrial Plants and Plant Pests
• Phase 1 - Key Initiatives
• Phase 2 - Proposed Implementation Plan

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency's role

The CFIA provides leadership in the implementation of the national IAS strategy as it relates to invasive alien plants and plant pests. It aims to protect Canada from potentially harmful plants and plant pests by focussing on prevention through science-based regulation, surveillance, pest eradication, risk management and public awareness. The CFIA works to prevent the entry or establishment of new plant pests, to limit the distribution of pests that are already present, and to certify plants and plant products for pest-free domestic and international trade. The list of pests regulated by the CFIA includes insects, mites, molluscs, nematodes, fungi, bacteria, viruses, phytoplasmas, and some parasitic plants.