Less than 1% of the UK government’s biosecurity budget is spent on tackling invasive species, despite the significant threat they pose to native wildlife, new figures reveal.
Conservation groups have warned that current funding falls far short of what is needed to protect Britain’s “cherished” native species—including water voles and ladybirds—as well as ecosystems, homes, businesses, and public green spaces.
Wildlife and Countryside Link (WCL) is calling for more investment in border controls to prevent the arrival of invasive species, along with greater support for local groups working to control the spread of non-native plants and animals on the ground.
A freedom of information request by WCL to the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) revealed that just £2.47 million of the estimated £250 million biosecurity budget was allocated to invasive species. Of that, only £250,000 was directed toward local groups combatting invaders such as rhododendrons and giant blackberries, which are choking woodlands and grasslands.
Within the broader biodiversity budget, only £22.7 million—around 3%—was spent on preventing and controlling all invasive species, WCL noted.
Asian, or yellow-legged, hornets were an exception to the low funding trend. These hornets, which pose a serious threat to honeybees and native pollinators, received over £2.2 million in dedicated funding. In contrast, under £500,000 was spent on local efforts against a wide range of other invasive species.
While the hornet has not yet established itself in the UK, conservationists say border checks have helped delay its arrival. However, WCL warned it is only a matter of time before the species becomes established, reinforcing the urgent need for stronger prevention and early detection measures.
Invasive species are a key driver in more than 60% of global extinctions. In the UK, examples include water voles being hunted by invasive mink and red squirrels losing ground to disease and competition from grey squirrels.
Lisa Manning, policy officer at WCL, described invasive species as “one of the biggest risks” to native wildlife, saying they “wreak havoc” on natural habitats, damage homes and infrastructure, and impose growing costs on communities.
She warned: “We need more border check powers and resources to prevent new harmful species arriving.
“And more funding is needed to fight invasive species that have already arrived, so local groups can stop struggling on an annual basis and take the long-term action needed for nature.”
A Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs spokesperson said: “This government will never waver in its duty to protect the UK’s biosecurity.
“That’s why we are bolstering our national biosecurity with a £208m investment to set up a National Biosecurity Centre and, just last week, announced £10m of funding for cutting-edge surveillance projects to detect the spread of diseases and non-native species.”
An APHA spokesperson said: “Our teams work hard to tackle the threat of invasive non-native species, which cost the GB economy nearly £2bn a year, and help deliver a seamless border that maintains frictionless trade while protecting biosecurity.
“Members of the public who encounter invasive non-native species should report them, following instructions on the Non-Native Species Secretariat website.”
——————————————————————————
At Natural World Fund, we are passionate about restoring habitats in the UK to halt the decline in our wildlife.
Donate now and join in the solution!
