One of the biggest threats to biological diversity – both inside and outside Sweden’s borders – is invasive alien species.
These are species that, according to of the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency definition, “moved with the help of man from its original environment and in its new environment begins to spread rapidly and causes serious damage to ecosystems, infrastructure or human health, which entails large costs for society and individuals”.
READ MORE: That’s why you should burn certain plants in your garden – destroy biodiversity
Photo: Maja Suslin/TT
DON’T MISS: Do you have this monster plant in your garden? That may be the penalty
New EU ban came into effect on 2 August
On 2 August, a new EU ban came into effect. The ban means that it is no longer permitted to breed, cultivate, sell, exchange or transport three invasive alien species. This is to stop them from spreading.
READ MORE: Do you have this plant at home? Then you can violate the new ban
Photo: Oscar Olsson/TT
READ MORE: The pet you’re not allowed to breed – starting August 2nd
One of the species covered by the ban is the African clawed frog, which appears as a pet in some Swedish homes. If you have one in your possession, you don’t have to euthanize it, but you should be careful.
– However, you must be sure that the frog cannot reproduce or escape, has Henrik Langecoordinator for invasive alien species at the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, said in a press release.
What happens if you break the ban?
But what actually happens if you break the ban, for example by breeding or selling the frog species in question? News24 asked Henrik Lange.
– The clawed frog falls under the general penalty for crimes against invasive alien species legislation, i.e. fines or imprisonment of up to two years in the case of serious crimes.
Photo: Henrik Montgomery/TT
DON’T MISS: Then the authority must take over your pet – immediately