Agencies urged to halt spread of invasive species

A national conservation coalition Thursday urged the federal government to take steps to help prevent the introduction and spread of "invasive" species of outside plants and insects in the United States.

Such species "are among the most severe environmental problems our country faces and unfortunately our country's response has been slow and painfully inadequate," said Phyllis Windle, senior scientist for the Union of Concerned Scientists' Global Environment Program.

The National Environmental Coalition on Invasive Species called on Congress to speed discussion on the "National Aquatic Species Act," which proponents said would increase the ability to prevent and control damaging aquatic introductions.

The bill, with a price tag of more than $160 million a year, stalled in House and Senate committees earlier this year.

The group also urged President Bush to issue an executive order to allow the National Invasive Species Council to better integrate the actions of federal agencies that deal with biological invaders.

Non-native species are considered the second largest threat to global biodiversity and cost the United States an estimated $137 billion each year.