The Research Institute for Nature and Forest (INBO) is the independent research institute of the Flemish government that underpins and evaluates biodiversity policy and management by means of applied scientific research, data and knowledge sharing.
INBO provides evidence-based support for nature policy and its implementation. It describes the state and trends of biodiversity and ecosystem services, investigates causes of change and develops directly applicable instruments. It develops future outlook studies that underpin nature policy in the longer term. We always do this in dialogue with partners from society, science, policy and management. INBO scientifically supports organizations for nature management, forestry, agriculture, hunting and fisheries. INBO is a member of national and European research networks.
INBO employs some 245 staff, mainly researchers and technicians.
With regard to aquatic invasive species (AIS), INBO plays a lead role in research, monitoring and management of invasives in the northern part of Belgium. Current AIS research topics include: monitoring of distribution and impact of Ponto-Caspian gobies, management of American bullfrog, drafting and reviewing risk assessments for invasive alien species, horizon scanning of new AIS, monitoring and surveillance of AIS, the publication of open data on invasives as well as the development of registries and data warehouses. The institute is a key player in implementing the European Union Regulation on the prevention and management of invasive alien species. INBO scientists liaise with European and other international experts on AIS to tackle the issue on a pan-European or worldwide scale. Results of these collaborations can be found in reports to managers and stakeholders and in numerous peer reviewed papers. For more information about INBO: www.inbo.be
Contact: Hugo Verreycken, Senior Scientist – Invasive Species
hugo.verreycken@inbo.be
The Office for Risk Assessment & Research (BuRO) is an independent part of the Netherlands Food and Product Safety Authority (NVWA). BuRO provides independent advice to the Inspector-General of the NVWA, to the Dutch Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport, the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality. The science-based risk assessments encompass food safety, consumer product safety, animal health, animal welfare, plant health, and nature.
More information on BuRO: Office for Risk Assessment & Research | About us | NVWA-English
The Team Invasive Alien Species is a part of the BuRO which aims at alien species that have negative effects on nature, public health, economy and safety. Main activities include advising ministries, having risk analyses of species and pathways carried out, conducting surveys and monitoring, and communicate risks to stakeholders.
The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) monitors animal and plant health, animal welfare, and the safety of food and consumer products, as well as enforcing nature legislation.
The NVWA is an independent agency in the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality and a delivery agency for the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport.
Contact: Sander Smolders, Senior Advisor on Invasive Alien Species
a.a.j.smolders@nvwa.nl
