Invasive Species

Iowa Legislature Approves HF2800 Adding Japanese Knotweed to Primary Noxious Weeds List

Iowa’s legislature has approved omnibus bill HF2800, whose Division VI would add Japanese knotweed as a primary noxious weed under state law once enacted. If signed, this will bring the invasive species under Iowa’s existing noxious weed control obligations, increasing vegetation management expectations for landowners, utilities and local authorities rather than creating new pesticide- or herbicide-specific rules.

15 May 2026, 13:40legis.iowa.govUnited States

Wisconsin DNR Opens Economic Impact Comment Period on NR 40 Invasive Species Rule Revisions

Wisconsin’s Department of Natural Resources has released a comprehensive draft revision of its NR 40 invasive species rule (NH-08-25) and opened an economic impact comment window from 4 May to 3 June 2026. If adopted, the changes would reshuffle which species are prohibited or restricted, tighten disease and decontamination controls, and could materially affect agriculture, forestry, nurseries, aquatic operators and other small businesses that trade in or manage invasive species in the state.

7 May 2026, 05:50dnr.wisconsin.govUnited States

Kansas Department of Agriculture Adopts Official Noxious Weed Control Methods

Kansas has adopted updated noxious weed regulations that incorporate new official control methods for 15 named weeds and reorganise them into three regulatory categories, with the changes taking effect on 15 May 2026. These amendments strengthen duties on counties, weed supervisors and landowners, including a 10‑business‑day response window after musk thistle notices, so weed management plans and resourcing should be updated ahead of the effective date.

5 May 2026, 14:14sos.ks.govUnited States

Spain Opens Consultation on Draft Royal Decree for Positive Lists of Companion Animals

Spain has opened an information-public consultation on a draft Royal Decree that will establish positive lists of species allowed as companion animals under the 2023 Animal Welfare Law, with comments due by 8 May 2026. Once adopted, this framework will significantly restrict trade and ownership of exotic pets to a science-based list of authorised species, tightening obligations for breeders, importers and pet facilities while reducing invasive-species, public-health and animal-welfare risks.

30 Apr 2026, 10:40ecologistasenaccion.orgSpain

California SB 1428 Would Clarify Gravity-Based Energy Storage Pilot and Tighten Ballast Water Standards

California’s SB 1428, which has passed the state Senate and moved to the Assembly, would clean up cross-references in the gravity-based energy storage well pilot, update ballast water management provisions for marine invasive species, and make minor adjustments to wildfire resilience and port land governance in the Public Resources Code. If enacted, it would confirm ambitious 2030 and 2040 ballast water treatment performance milestones for vessels, align California’s ballast water rules more closely with federal standards while preserving stricter state targets, and provide greater legal clarity for operators involved in energy storage projects and Jack London Square development.

22 Apr 2026, 08:57leginfo.legislature.ca.govUnited States

Ukraine Drafts Amendments to Biosafety and Biological Protection Strategy Action Plan (CMU Order No. 573-r/2022)

Ukraine has published a draft Cabinet resolution to amend Order No. 573‑r/2022, which approves the national action plan for implementing the 2022‑2025 Biosafety and Biological Protection Strategy. If adopted, the revised plan will fine-tune government tasks and timelines on biosafety, signalling ongoing policy focus on biological risks and potential follow-on regulatory initiatives affecting laboratories, agriculture, and environmental management.

16 Apr 2026, 19:13me.gov.uaUkraine

Ukraine Approves Procedure for Listing Invasive Alien Species

Ukraine’s Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture has approved a new procedure for classifying plant and animal species as invasive alien species, setting clear criteria and a structured process for forming the national list. This strengthens Ukraine’s biodiversity protection framework and aligns invasive-species governance with EU Regulation 1143/2014, shaping future controls on species trade, land management, and ecosystem planning.

16 Apr 2026, 15:51me.gov.uaUkraine

Louisiana Legislature Proposes Phase-Out of Surface Water Withdrawal Agreements

Louisiana House Bill 1209 would phase out state cooperative agreements for withdrawing surface water, impose hard sunset dates through 2036, tighten approval criteria, and redirect water-use fees toward managing invasive aquatic vegetation. If enacted, industrial, agricultural, and municipal users that rely on state surface water agreements in Louisiana would face firmer end dates and stricter scrutiny of new or renewed withdrawals, reshaping long-term water sourcing, permitting risk, and investment planning.

15 Apr 2026, 15:26legis.la.govUnited States

Japan Environment Ministry Launches Consultation on Draft Invasive Alien Species List

Japan is consulting on a revised list of invasive alien species to align national biosecurity with its 2023-2030 National Biodiversity Strategy. This update signals forthcoming changes to pathway management and trade controls that will impact operational risk assessments for cross-border supply chains.

6 Apr 2026, 16:39env.go.jpJapan

Sweden Tightens Guidelines for Plant Importers to Control Invasive Leaf Flatworm (Obama nungara)

Sweden has implemented stricter inspection and sanitization mandates for plant importers to combat the spread of the invasive leaf flatworm. Importers must formalize biosecurity action plans and prepare for increased enforcement inspections to avoid costly batch destructions or market access restrictions.

4 Apr 2026, 10:57lansstyrelsen.seSweden

EFSA Approves Methodology for Estimating Pest Survey Parameters for Detection Surveys

EFSA has finalized a new methodology to standardize plant pest detection surveys across the European Union. This framework will drive more rigorous national monitoring programs, increasing biosecurity scrutiny and data requirements for agricultural supply chains.

2 Apr 2026, 10:18open.efsa.europa.euEuropean Union

Missouri House Advances Bill Adding Xylazine to Schedule III Controlled Substances

Missouri is advancing legislation to classify xylazine as a Schedule III controlled substance and tighten seed permit requirements for invasive plants by August 2026. Affected companies should prepare for enhanced oversight of veterinary drug distribution and stricter compliance affidavits for commercial plant and seed sales.

2 Apr 2026, 08:43house.mo.govUnited States

Norway Consults on Amendments to Plant Protection Products Regulation

Norway is consulting on amendments to its plant protection framework that introduce stricter security clearances for hazardous fumigants and streamlined certification for biological forestry treatments. These changes signal a shift toward more granular risk management that balances enhanced security for high-hazard substances with reduced administrative barriers for lower-risk biological alternatives.

31 Mar 2026, 21:28hoering.mattilsynet.noNorway

Brittany Adopts 2026–2031 Regional Action Plan for Pollinators and Pollination

Brittany has launched a regional pollinator action plan for 2026–2031 to integrate EU nature restoration and pesticide reduction targets into local agricultural and land-use policies. While the plan introduces no immediate legal mandates, it will redirect regional subsidies and planning priorities toward stricter environmental management and reduced chemical dependency.

31 Mar 2026, 21:27draaf.bretagne.agriculture.gouv.frFrance

Wisconsin DNR Sets Hearing on Proposed Aquatic Plant Management Rule WY-20-23

Wisconsin is proposing a consolidated aquatic plant management framework that introduces stricter chemical application limits and integrated pest management requirements by 2028. Operators must adapt to mandatory copper sulfate application caps, increased permit fees, and enhanced public notification protocols for water treatment activities.

31 Mar 2026, 18:37dnr.wisconsin.govUnited States

Belgium (Wallonia) Amends Port State Control Order To Implement EU Directive 2024/3099

Wallonia has updated its port state control framework to implement EU Directive 2024/3099, effective March 2026. Maritime operators face expanded inspection scopes and stricter reporting requirements for safety and environmental anomalies across international conventions.

29 Mar 2026, 17:46eur-lex.europa.euBelgium

Scotland Publishes 2026–2032 Action Plan for Invasive Non-Native Species

Scotland has launched a 2026–2032 Action Plan for invasive non-native species, setting ambitious 2030 targets for prevention, impact reduction, and private-sector funding. Businesses in land-based and marine sectors should prepare for mandatory biosecurity planning in procurement and licensing alongside strengthened enforcement and inspection powers.

28 Mar 2026, 18:20nature.scotUnited Kingdom

US DHS Adopts NEPA Categorical Exclusions for Dam, Land, and UAS Activities

The US Department of Homeland Security has implemented new categorical exclusions to streamline environmental reviews for infrastructure, habitat restoration, and drone operations as of March 2026. This move accelerates project timelines and reduces administrative overhead for routine maintenance and small-scale construction by bypassing lengthy environmental assessments.

28 Mar 2026, 16:32public-inspection.federalregister.govUnited States

California DPR Lists Agragene Knockout-SWD (PRO-2600416) as Entering Pesticide Registration Evaluation

California has commenced the formal evaluation of a first-of-its-kind CRISPR-based biological insecticide for commercial fruit production. This technical review establishes a critical regulatory precedent for the market entry of gene-edited pest management technologies and non-traditional active ingredients.

27 Mar 2026, 18:41cdpr.ca.govUnited States

US FERC Seeks Comment On Barker Mill Upper Hydroelectric License Application (P-3562-026)

FERC has initiated the environmental review and public comment phase for the Barker Mill Upper Hydroelectric Project license renewal in Maine. This stage will formalize operational mandates for fish passage and water management, determining the project's long-term regulatory compliance costs and environmental obligations.

27 Mar 2026, 18:18public-inspection.federalregister.govUnited States