Flemish budget to combat invasive species triples

The Flemish government has tripled its budget for tackling invasive alien species (non-native plants and animals that threaten nature or public health) from 1 million euros in 2020 to 3 million euros in 2024, Het Nieuwsblad reports.

Europe faces around 11,000 invasive species, and their presence in Flanders is also growing. Most foreign species either fail to survive or cause no harm, but a minority adapt well, spread rapidly and can harm native wildlife or human health. According to the Agency for Nature and Forests, climate change is not the main cause of the rise, but it can help certain species establish themselves.

Flanders uses various methods to control invaders, from trapping signal crayfish and Chinese mitten crabs to removing American bullfrogs. The Agency for Nature and Forests coordinates the fight, contracts fieldwork to organisations and companies, and supports municipalities. Other bodies (including the Agency for Roads and Traffic, the Agriculture and Fisheries Agency, De Vlaamse Waterweg and the Flemish Environment Agency) also contribute.

The largest share of the budget goes towards controlling invasive plants. In 2024, 787,000 euros was spent on Japanese knotweed alone, 558,000 euros on the Asian hornet and 357,817 euros on the tiger mosquito.

^{#FlandersNewsService | Asian hornets © BELGA PHOTO MARC DIRIX}