Topic: 2025-Regulating Invasive Species
Country: Brazil
Delegate Name: Wilden Olger
Committee: IUCN
Country: Brazil
Delegate: Wilden Olger
Topic B: Regulating Invasive Species
Invasive species pose a huge threat to biodiversity due to their ability to outcompete native species, driving them to endangerment and extinction. Brazil considers Invasive species especially important, as we have over 500 invasive species, consisting mainly of plants and fish. This threat to biodiversity is concerning, as Brazil hosts 15-20 percent of the worlds biological diversity, so protecting it becomes essential (Thematic Assessment) (Bioinvasion and). These invasive species can be dangerous to some of Brazil’s important native species, such as the mangrove, and are extremely difficult to get rid of without the use of chemicals that could have their own effects on the environment (Brown). Additionally, invasive species can transmit disease, and cost Brazil 15 billion in annual losses (Alisson). Brazil needs to find short term solutions to deal with more dangerous species, and more environmentally friendly solutions to deal with the less dangerous ones.
Brazil currently mostly relies on NGOs and international cooperation to solve the issue. A Programme under the name CONTAIN, for example, was set up on the British Newton Fund, and performed research to find the best ways to deal with invasive species in Chile, Argentina, and Brazil (Contain – Latam). The research CONTAIN has performed has found that the best way to mitigate the effects of invasive species is not to completely eradicate them, which can have it’s own side effects, but to contain them and stop them from spreading further. However, Brazil has yet to act on this knowledge (Arantes). While this is the most effective way to deal with the threat, it is much more expensive to constantly manage each invasive species rather than just get rid of them. On top of that, some species pose too much of a threat to vulnerable yet important native species such as the mangrove, which could pose a serious risk if those species aren’t dealt with quickly or managed properly. In this case, chemicals are usually the quickest, best, and least labor intensive option (Brown). In the case of protecting dangerous, yet essential species, the side effects the chemicals may have are vastly outweighed by their benefits. As such, Brazil believes that we should use chemicals to deal with the most dangerous of invasive species, and work to contain the less widespread or dangerous species to minimize the negative impacts on the environment.
Based on previous legislation, Brazil is seeking for international cooperation in research on the best ways to deal with these invasive species, and doesn’t support forced regulations on chemicals that may have other environmental side effects in cases where there are important native species that need to be saved. Brazil supports a resolution that involves sorting invasive species into tiers on factors such as the best way to deal with them and how much of a threat they pose to the environment, so focus points can be identified and dealt with as quickly and cost effectively as possible.
Works Cited
Alisson, Elton. “Dengue-bearing mosquito and other invasive species in Brazil cause annual losses of up to BRL 15 billion.” FAPESP, 4 march 2024, https://agencia.fapesp.br/dengue-bearing-mosquito-and-other-invasive-species-in-brazil-cause-annual-losses-of-up-to-brl-15-billion/51264.
Arantes, José Tadeu. “A research group proposes six guidelines for managing the impacts of invasive species.” Phys.org, 1 March 2021, https://phys.org/news/2021-03-group-guidelines-impacts-invasive-species.html. Accessed 13 February 2025.
Brown, Sarah. “Experts call for urgent action as invasive species threatens Brazil mangroves.” Mongabay, 17 September 2024, https://news.mongabay.com/2024/09/experts-call-for-urgent-action-as-invasive-species-threatens-brazil-mangroves/. Accessed 13 February 2025.
“(Contain – Latam).” The University of Aberdeen.
“Thematic assessment report on invasive alien species in Brazil: summary for policymakers.” SciELO Brazil, 1 July 2024, https://www.scielo.br/j/bn/a/Q8Lm5FM8tJkLkBGJchNP49F/?lang=en.
