In light of Action 4 of the Action Plan for nature, people and the economy, the European Commission has put forward a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) document to provide guidance on the how the EU Invasive Alien Species Regulation (IAS Regulation) and the EU Habitats and Birds Directives (Nature Directives) interact.

The Action Plan for Nature, People and the Economy was adopted in 2017 to boost the implementation and realise the full potential of the Nature Directives. Under Action 4 of the Action Plan, the Commission has committed to support Member States in improving synergies when implementing the Nature Directives and other EU legislation, including the IAS Regulation, in light of building political ownership and strengthening compliance.

The published FAQ document provides answers on how the IAS Regulation and Nature Directives can support one another. The FAQs are divided over 6 subtopics:

• Objectives and scope of the IAS Regulation and links with the Nature Directives
• Prevention of introduction and entry of IAS and links with the Nature Directives
• Surveillance and early detection of IAS and links with the Nature Directives
• Rapid eradication of IAS and links with the Nature Directives
• Management of IAS and links with the Nature Directives
• Integrating IAS surveillance, rapid eradication, management and restoration measures into Natura 2000 site management plans and PAFs.

The document furthermore provides a list of IAS for which evidence shows they have a potential impact on Natura 2000 areas and on EU protected species. The document can be found here.