EU issues list to wipe out 37 invasive species

New Delhi: The American raccoon, the grey squirrel, the American skunk cabbage are among 37 species which are now officially unwanted in Europe.

Recently, European Commission has issued a regulation that bans 37 species of mammals, exotic animals, birds and plants from being brought to any member states including United Kingdom. The strong blacklist contains names of 23 animals and 14 plants that are 'invasive alien species' that are causing serious harm to the local biodiversity and also damaging the economy of the European Union (EU).

EU's regulation aimed at protecting the lives of native birds and animals and restrict the spread of alien species, said Ciarán O’Keeffe, a principal officer at the Department of Arts, Heritage, Rural and Regional and Gaeltacht Affairs.

“It is an alien species if it is transported into a new area, becomes invasive and thrives at the expense of things already there,” he added.

After this continent-wide-order, now it's illegal to import, keep, breed or grow, transport, sell or use, or release into environment without a permit that listed invasive, non-native plant and animal species. This ban will no longer apply to UK when it will completely leave EU, according to The Guardian.