Sweden is refusing to withdraw its proposal to ban imports of live American lobsters (Homarus americanus) into the EU, insisting that the species is putting European lobsters and other native species at risk, despite contrary claims from North American authorities.
The issue arose earlier this year after 32 American lobsters were found in Swedish waters. As a result, Sweden issued a proposal calling for the EU to ban the import of live lobsters into the bloc. But U.S. officials told the European Commission (EC) that the proposal was lacking in scientific evidence, while scientists from the United States and Canada issued reports that questioned Sweden’s claims.
However, Per Angquist, state secretary at the Swedish Department of Environment and Energy, has issued a response to the criticism of his country’s proposal, saying that the Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management has reported numerous findings of American lobsters along Sweden's west coast in recent years, and as such the American lobster is an invasive alien species (IAS).
Angquist said the agency’s findings indicate that the American lobster may be “establishing permanently” in Swedish marine ecosystems.
“Thus, there is a risk of both hybridization with the native European lobster, and establishing a subpopulation in the area.”
Once the American lobster is established it will be impossible to eradicate. This poses a severe threat to the native European lobster, as well as to other native crustacean species, he said.
“The request from Sweden to include the American lobster on the revised list of invasive alien species of Union concern is entirely based on the scientific risk assessment conducted by the Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management. The risk assessment is comprehensive and takes into account ecological concerns, size of imports, socio-economic effects, etc.,” said Angquist.
A revised list of IASs will be submitted to the World Trade Organization (WTO) SPS (Sanitary and Phytosanitary) Committee for review.
“Aside from the efforts to clarify which species should be included in the EU IAS list, the committee also evaluates what regulations may need to be introduced to stop the spread of the invasive species,” said Angquist.
The EU’s Scientific Forum on IASs is expected to express an opinion about Sweden’s call for the ban on 31 August. If the petition is successful, an IAS listing could lead to a ban on U.S. and Canadian live lobster exports to all 28 EU member states.
The United States and Canada export about USD 150 million (EUR 132.4 million) and USD 75 million (EUR 66.2 million) worth of live lobsters to the EU each year, respectively.
