Tomorrow, on 19 October, the Regulation of the Minister of the Environment on foreign species that endanger ecological balances will be published in the State Gazette. The Regulation covers foreign species that may not be brought into Estonia for keeping in artificial conditions and that may endanger ecological balances here and cause economic damage in case they spread in Estonia. The Nature Protection Act forbids the introduction of foreign species into the wild; the Regulation that will be published tomorrow covers foreign species that are the most dangerous and invasive and that may not be bred or grown in Estonia even in artificial conditions. Many of the species mentioned in the Regulation are not currently found in Estonia, but some of them (for example, raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides), mink (Mustela vison) and giant hogweed) have been living/growing here for a long time already. It is not necessary to take individuals of existing foreign species out of Estonia, but it is forbidden to bring additional individuals of these foreign species into Estonia. Foreign species are highly dangerous to our natural diversity. So, for example, the mink Mustela vison has invaded the habitats of our native mink Mustela lutreola who by now has become quite extinct. Great efforts are currently made on the island Hiiumaa to restore the population of Mustela lutreola. The establishment of the list of foreign species does not completely rule out the possibility of breeding or growing these species in Estonia. As an exception, it is allowed to continue growing/breeding these species with the permission of the Minister of the Environment. Thus, pursuant to the Nature Protection Act [subsection 57(5)] it is forbidden to grow/breed individuals of foreign species that endanger ecological balances in artificial conditions, except in scientifically justified cases with the permission of the Minister of Environment. During the preparation of the draft Regulation negotiations were held with representatives of Estonian fur farms. In the course of negotiations the parties concluded that establishing new mink and raccoon dog farms should not be allowed in Estonia, but the existing farms should be allowed to continue their work with the permission of the Minister of the Environment. In numerous Western European farms mink breeding is completely forbidden (for example, in Great Britain) and more and more mass producers are moving to Eastern Europe. Estonia is trying to prevent this invasion. The Regulation No. 126 of the Minister of the Environment “The List of Foreign Species That Endanger Ecological Balances” will enter into force on 22 October 2004, with the exception of mink and raccoon dog for whom a transitional period is provided. Further information: Monika Kopti |
