Shared Island Biosecurity and Invasive Species Forum 2025
Following the success of the inaugural Forum in 2024, the National Biodiversity Data Centre organised the second Shared Island Biosecurity and Invasive Species Forum which was held in Belfast on the 4th November 2025. This year’s event once again brought together representatives from across sectors; industry, public bodies, and non-governmental organisations, to strengthen collaboration on invasive species and biosecurity across the island of Ireland.
The one-day programme featured a rich mix of expert presentations, interactive workshops, and open feedback sessions. An opening address was given by Minister Andrew Muir MLA, Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs in Northern Ireland and closing remarks were provided by Minister Christopher O’Sullivan TD; Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
The Forum provided a valuable space for exchanging ideas, sharing knowledge, and fostering cross-sector dialogue. Stakeholder engagement remains central to shaping effective, inclusive, and forward-looking policies and actions to address invasive species threats.
Invasive species continue to be one of the most significant drivers of biodiversity loss worldwide. By building on the momentum of the 2024 Forum, this second gathering aimed to deepen our shared understanding of biosecurity challenges and opportunities, helping to protect Ireland’s unique ecosystems and reduce the economic risks posed by invasive species.
The programme from the day is available here: Shared Island Biosecurity and Invasive Species Forum 2025
A summary of the 2025 Forum is available below, along with links to presentations and workshop notes. For further information, or to share feedback, please contact: [email protected].
Forum Presentations
- Update on Asian hornet response in Ireland; Áinle Ní Bhríain; National Parks and Wildlife Service
- Update on Asian hornet response in Northern Ireland; Richard Gray; Northern Ireland Environment Agency
- The National Biodiversity Data Centre’s Invasive Species Work Plan; one year on: John Kelly; National Biodiversity Data Centre
- Update from NNSS on progress and inspectorate work in GB; Olaf Booy; GB Non-native Species Secretariat
- The status of Muntjac deer on the Ards Peninsula; Erfan Fadaei; AECOM
- The midlands mink eradication programme; Owen Murphy; Breeding Waders EIP
- A Shared Island review of surveillance and monitoring for invasive and non-native species; Hannah Tidbury; APEM
- Scottish Invasive Species Initiative – people power at landscape scale; Callum Sinclair; Scottish Invasive Species Initiative
- Introduction to new research into the trade of exotic pets across the island of Ireland; Michel Dugon; University of Galway
- Corporate Social Responsibility and Invasive Species – An opportunity for action? Emer Ní Dhúill; Business for Biodiversity Ireland
Forum Workshops
In the afternoon, delegates divided up into four groups based and participated in workshops. Reports containing the summary findings and conclusions from these workshops are accessible below.
Workshop 1: Towards comprehensive invasive species monitoring – opportunities and challenges.
Chair: Úna FitzPatrick; Rapporteur: Paul Brett
Workshop 2: Closing the gaps: setting priorities for marine invasive species management.
Chair: Dave Wall; Rapporteur: Victoria Poppleton
Workshop 3: Local action as an integral support mechanism for strategic invasive species management.
Chair: Eammon Horgan; Rapporteur: Chantel Carr
Word cloud generated from attendees thoughts on Blue and Green Spaces
Workshop 4: Identifying invasive and non-native species knowledge gaps and working towards solutions.
Chair: Ann Haigh; Rapporteur: Colette O’Flynn
Delegates
For networking purposes, a list of the delegates that attended for the Forum may found here: Forum Attendees 4th November
