The impact of Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS) can be manifold, ranging from loss of crops, damaged buildings, and additional production costs to the loss of livelihoods and ecosystem services. INNS are increasingly abundant in Great Britain and in Europe generally and their impact is rising. Hence, INNS are the subject of considerable concern in Great Britain, prompting the development of a Non-Native Species Strategy and the formation of the GB Non-Native Species Programme Board and Secretariat.
The total current annual cost of INNS to the British economy is estimated, when corrected for double counting, at £1,291,461,000 to England, £244,736,000 to Scotland and £125,118,000 to Wales. Therefore the total annual cost of INNS to the British economy is estimated at approximately £1.7 billion.
Total estimated annual costs of non-native species (that may be controlled by shooting) to agriculture.
Deer £7,262,000
Rabbit £187,621,000
Rats £21,830,000
Mink £214,000
Geese & Swans*1 £1,503,000
Parakeets £10,000
Total £218,440,000
*1 Swans are not on the General License and therefore may NOT be shot.
The full report can be read here The Economic Cost of Invasive Non-Native Species to Great Britain
