China Sets Out Plans to Repel Economically Damaging Alien Plant Species

China has laid out guidelines to prevent the invasion of alien species and manage the hundreds of species that have already come in from abroad, which threaten the country’s biosecurity and cause annual damage estimated at 200 billion yuan ($31.5 billion).

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs published a draft version (link in Chinese) of the guidelines Friday, seeking public comment until March 11. The draft lays out measures to curb human activities that help alien species invade the country, stipulating that no individual or company shall introduce, release or discard these species without government approval.