To Raise 'Ecosystem Harmful Organisms,' Ministry of Environment Approval or Notification Required

Amendment and Enforcement of Subordinate Legislation under the Biodiversity Act

Representatives from environmental organizations such as the Green Alliance are performing a coexistence awareness promotion event on Biodiversity Day at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul on the 21st. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

The Ministry of Environment announced that the amendment to the Enforcement Decree of the "Biodiversity Conservation and Use Act" (hereinafter referred to as the Biodiversity Act), which strengthens crackdowns on the illegal importation of invasive species, was approved at the Cabinet meeting on the 30th and will take effect from the 17th of next month.

Along with the approved Enforcement Decree, the amendment to the Enforcement Rules of the Biodiversity Act will also be implemented on the same day. The revised law and decree allow public officials in charge to enter relevant business sites to inspect related documents, facilities, and items if invasive species not subject to legal management are being or have been illegally kept without approval, permission, or notification. Additionally, a basis has been established to require submission of related data such as the number of individuals of the species to the competent watershed (regional) environmental office.

Furthermore, the Enforcement Rules of the Biodiversity Act have been amended to require permission or notification according to commercial or non-commercial purposes when handling ecosystem-harmful species domestically, in addition to importation or introduction. However, a six-month grace period until August 16 has been granted for those who were already breeding or cultivating ecosystem-harmful species.

The Ministry of Environment stated, "With this amendment, crackdowns on illegal handling of invasive species will be strengthened, and the importation, introduction, and domestic handling of ecosystem-harmful species will also be incorporated into the regulatory system," adding, "We expect to manage invasive species that may pose risks to ecosystems and human health more systematically."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.