President Obama updates Executive Order on invasive species

[Cara J]

Last week, President Obama issued an executive order that directs member agencies of the National Invasive Species Council (NISC) to consider human and wildlife health, climate change, and innovations in science and technology when working on issues relevant to invasive species. Established by a 1999 executive order from President Clinton, NISC is a conglomerate of federal agency leaders that guide national efforts to prevent, remove, and control invasive species in the United States. The new Executive Order expands the reach of NISC; adding the heads of the Department of Health and Human Services as well as several White House offices to the NISC membership. While the Executive Order largely reaffirms the council’s original directives, the three “emerging priorities” of health, climate change, and technology were added as considerations. The EO states that member agencies of NISC should consider possible impacts that invasive species might have on human and wildlife health and safety when working on invasive issues, as some invasive species can serve as vectors, causative agents, or reservoirs for diseases. Additionally, the Department of Health and Human Services has been directed to provide a report on human health and safety concerns associated with invasive species, detailing impacts specific to [...]

 

Read more: http://wildlife.org/president-obama-updates-executive-order-on-invasive-species/