Plants and animals that do not naturally occur in Europe and end up in our environment can be harmful to nature. As of August 7, 2025, the European Union is adding 26 new species to the Union List of concerning invasive alien species. A ban on possession, trade, breeding, transport, and import of these invasive exotics is in effect within the European Union. It is also necessary to prevent these species from reproducing.
The species have been placed on the Union List because they can establish themselves in (parts of) the European Union with negative effects on biodiversity. This can involve competition for space, food, light, and nesting opportunities, but also because they capture and eat native species or transmit diseases and pests. Invasive exotics have entered the EU through human actions, such as trade in ornamental plants and pets, or unintentionally by hitching a ride with imported goods.
18 New Animal Species on the Union List
18 new animal species have been added to the Union List. Examples include the Crested Myna, the Chinese Marsh Snail, and the Asian Mudminnow. If an animal is already kept when the ban comes into effect, it may remain in possession until its natural death. Selling is not allowed, and releasing or letting it loose in the wild is prohibited. It must also be prevented that an animal reproduces or escapes. If the owner can no longer care for the pet, it may be given to someone else.
8 New Plant Species on the Union List
Of the eight new plant species added to the Union List, four are already established in the Netherlands: Japanese Knotweed, Sakhalin Knotweed, Hybrid Knotweed, and Water Crassula. Do you have a plant species on the Union List in your garden or pond? The plant may remain in the garden or pond, but you must ensure that it does not reproduce and spread. If you want to get rid of the plant, throw it in the residual waste bin, not in the green bin. Do not throw the plant on a compost heap. Do not sell (cuttings of) invasive plants or give them away. This way, you help prevent the spread of the plant.
The 26 new species are listed on the NVWA website.
Information for Traders
Traders of species added to the Union List may sell their stock for one year after the ban comes into effect. For two species, the American Mink and the Canadian Beaver, the rules will come into effect two years later. The RVO website contains all rules that apply to Union List species. The NVWA conducts inspections to enforce the prohibitions, such as on possessing or selling Union List species.
More Information
The Union List is part of the EU Regulation on Invasive Exotics 1143/2014. This regulation describes the rules that apply to the species on the Union List.
For more information about the regulations, see the RVO website. Information about the species on the Union List is available on the NVWA website.