> Open conference (10.03.2006)
Introduction pathways of invasive alien species are multiple. Through different examples involving key sectors of the society and lessons from the scientific workshop, the open conference will demonstrate how biological invasions can produce drastic detrimental impact on economy and environment and why they have to be considered as a high priority issue in Belgium.
This keystone conference aims to bring together a wide array of policy makers, academics, NGO representatives and media from all over Belgium. We believe that this will provide a springboard to develop a national strategy on invasive alien species, as requested by the Council of Europe under the Bern Convention.
Discussions will mainly focus on legislative tools and best practices to prevent the introduction of invasive species in new areas and to mitigate the impact of introduced species on environment, economy and public health. Official languages of the open conference are french and dutch. Simultaneous dutch-french translation service will be provided.
The open conference will be organised in the theatre room of the Planetarium, Brussels.
> Programme
| 09:15 | Welcome Philippe Mettens, Science Policy Office |
Session 1 – Invasive alien species in Belgium
| 09:20 | Why worry about invasive species? (FR) Etienne Branquart, Belgian Biodiversity Platform |
| 09:30 | Ornamental plants : fatal attraction? (FR) Grégroy Mahy, INPLANBEL / FUSAGx |
| 09:45 | Exotic aquatic plants (NL) Didier Soens, Provincie Antwerpen |
| 10:00 | Invasive aquatic plants (documentary) Groene Vingers (VRT) |
10:10-11:40 COFFEE BREAK
| 10:40 | The Invaders (documentary) Matière Grise (RTBF) |
| 11:00 | Non-native species in ballast water of marine ships (NL) Patrick Decrop, Harbor Master port of Antwerp |
| 11:15 | What future for our native crayfish? (FR) Roger Cammaerts, CRNFB & Albert Kever, ASTACUS |
| 11:30 | Risks and regulation of biological control (NL) Patrick de Clercq, Ghent University |
| 11:45 | Plant pathogens and pest insects (NL) Walter Van Ormelingen & Vera Huyshauwer, AFSCA |
| 12:00 | Pets : from zero to hero (NL) Olivier Beck, IBGE-BIM |
| 12:15 | Lessons from session 1 : invasive species, a threat to biodiversity in Belgium? (FR) Etienne Branquart, Belgian Biodiversity Platform |
12:30-13:30 LUNCH
Session 2 – Working towards solutions
| 13:30 | International legislation and obligations on IAS-related issues (FR) Andras Demeter, DG Environment |
| 13:50 | Regulating the introduction of invasive alien species in Belgium : which role for the federal authority? (FR) Delphine Misonne, CEDRE |
| 14:10 | Lessons from the scientific workshop and practical recommendations from the scientists (NL) Ivan Nijs, INPLANBEL / UA |
| 14:30 | National strategies and action plans on invasive alien species : experiences from other countries (NL) Maj de Poorter, International Union for Nature Conservation (ISSG/New Zealand) |
| 14:50 | Alert and control network against invasive plants in Artois-Picardie (FR) Nicolas Borel, Conservatoire Botanique National de Bailleul (France) |
15:10-15:40 COFFEE BREAK
Session 3 – Debate
| 15:40 | Lessons from session 2 : why limit the impact of invasive species in Belgium? (FR) Frédéric Chemay, FPS Health, Food, Chain Safety and Environment |
| 15:50 | Discussion Moderator : Dirk Draulans, journalist |
Closing messages
| 16:30 | Word of Bruno Tobback, Minister for Environment and Pensions (NL) |
