The Second Shared Island Biosecurity and Invasive Species Forum

Following the success of the inaugural Forum in 2024, the second Shared Island Biosecurity and Invasive Species Forum 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 Ireland 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. It is important to address invasive species on this island from a biogeographical perspective across the two jurisdictions. 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 the island’s unique ecosystems and reduce the economic risks posed by invasive species.

You can view the full programme here: Full Programme (4th November 2025)

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Forum Presentations

Following the opening address from Minister Muir, the day’s proceedings kicked off with a series of presentations from guest speakers.

They can all be downloaded below:

• 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

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Forum Workshops

In the afternoon, delegates participated in focused workshops. Reports containing the summary findings and conclusions from these workshops are accessible by the links below.

• Workshop 1: Towards comprehensive invasive species monitoring – opportunities and challenges.

    Chair: Úna FitzPatrick; Rapporteur: Paul Brett 

     REPORT

• Workshop 2: Closing the gaps: setting priorities for marine invasive species management.

    Chair: Dave Wall; Rapporteur: Victoria Poppleton

     REPORT

• Workshop 3: Local action as an integral support mechanism for strategic invasive species management.

     Chair: Eammon Horgan; Rapporteur: Chantel Carr

  REPORT 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

     REPORT

 

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The day concluded with closing remarks from Ireland Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity Christopher O’Sullivan TD.

We extend our sincere gratitude to all speakers and participants for their valuable contributions. Together, we can protect our shared island’s unique biodiversity for generations to come.

If you have any queries please email us on invasivespecies@daera-ni.gov.uk 

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For networking purposes, a list of the delegates that attended for the Forum may found here: Forum Attendees 4th November

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Gallery from the Second Shared Island Biosecurity and Invasive Species Initiative Forum

 

Minister Muir with Senior Officials from NIEA, NPWS, NBDC and GB NNSS	Dr Sara McGuckin, NIEA, Chairing Part 1 of the Forum	Richard Gray, NIEA, presenting on the recent Asian hornet incursion in NI
Michel Dugon, University of Galway, presenting on exotic pet research	Speakers taking questions from the audience	Erfan Fadaei, AECOM, presenting on the status of muntjac deer on the Ards Peninsula
Owen Murphy, Breeding Waders EIP, presenting on the Midlands Mink Eradication Programme	John Kelly’s update on the Shared Island Initiative Work Plan	Closing remarks from Christopher O’Sullivan Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Ireland.