Whereas invasive plants can cause significant economic harm by damaging crops, fisheries, forests, and infrastructure, and impose costs on industry and taxpayers for control and eradication efforts; And whereas regulating the sale and distribution of invasive plants is a key strategy for preventing their introduction and spread, and for protecting native ecosystems and economies: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM request that the Province ban the sale and distribution of invasive plants within the jurisdiction of the Province of British Columbia, except for plants that have been determined to be non-invasive.
Ministry of Forests Preventing the introduction and distribution of invasive plant species continues to be a priority for Government, as we recognize the significant impacts invasive plants can have on economic, ecological, social and cultural values across BC. The Ministry of Forests leads invasive plant management and is aware of the gaps in the current invasive species legislative framework. High-risk invasive plant species and their pathways of introduction and spread are not adequately controlled and there are limited provisions to stop the retail sale, trade, barter, gifting or movement of regulated species. The Inter-Ministry Invasive Species Working Group IMISWG is the coordinating body for invasive species prevention and management and has representation from all resource and land management ministries. The IMISWG has completed a review of legislation and policy and identified invasive species that are not adequately addressed, and areas where improvements to policy would support preventing the introduction and spread of high-risk invasive plants and animals, which includes preventing their sale, trade, barter, gifting and transport. This review also determined that the Weed Control Act is antiquated and not feasible to update to make the improvements required to include needed prevention and movement prohibition provisions. Exploring the development of a new, comprehensive Act with supporting Regulations and policy has been recommended as the best approach to adequately address all high-risk invasive species and their pathways of introduction and spread. Creating new legislation is a large undertaking, however, in the interim, the province is committed to continuing to pursue improved policy solutions to address invasive plant species.