Samoa National Invasive Species Action Plan July 2008- June 2011.

Samoa National Invasive Species Action Plan July 2008-June 2011 is a cross-sectoral national action plan prepared to protect Samoa’s native biodiversity from the impacts of invasive species, through effective border control and quarantine, and the development and implementation of effective eradication and management programs. The Action Plan will be guided by the principles of the precautionary principle, the ecosystem approach, and the beneficiary pays.
Invasive species are one of the greatest threats to Samoa’s natural heritage. The impact of invasive species is immense, costly and usually irreversible. Impacts can range from adversely affecting the productivity and subsequent economic output of primary industry, such as agriculture, forestry and fisheries, to impeding cultural practices and traditions, household food security and sustainable livelihoods, and threatening the integrity and biodiversity of natural ecosystems, including vital ecosystem processes. Therefore, to reduce and reverse the negative impact of invasive species on food security, as well as agricultural productivity and sustainability the Action Plan employs the following strategies:
Strategy 1- Manage established invasive species through the development of appropriate programs and procedures to minimize the impacts of established invasive species by eradicating them where practicable, or otherwise managing them. Actions will include identification and prioritization of specific species or key sites for management.
Strategy 2- Promotion of public support through awareness and education to enhance the knowledge and understanding of the Samoan community to increase levels of compliance and support for preventing the introduction of invasive species that have not yet reached Samoa, and managing those already developed there.
Strategy 3: Preventing the introduction of new invasive species by strengthening the existing Import Risk Assessment (IRA) procedure and associated import protocols for proposed new introductions, reviewing and enhancing the Emergency Response Plan (ERP) to ensure an immediate and effective response to the detection of any potential invasive species, and enhancing the current inspection and surveillance systems and procedures for potential invasive species.
Strategy 4: Fostering regional and international cooperation on invasive species to effectively address the threat of potential new invasions and manage established invasive species. The strengthening of policies and strategies for plants health and invasive species reduction as well as the inclusion of the Samoan community in the review and consultation process of the action plan will generate more inclusive and efficient agricultural and food systems.
Regarding governance, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment is the key government agency responsible for facilitating the implementation and monitoring of the action plan. The Samoa National Invasives Task Team will act as a technical sub-committee involving representatives of key stakeholders, that will drive the coordination of the Action Plan. However, all stakeholders, including regional and local NGOs, Government agencies, private businesses and the general community, play an important role in preventing and managing invasive species, and it is intended that they will be actively involved in the implementation of this action plan. It is intended that the action plan be owned and driven by the Samoan community. The Action Plan is a living document, to be reviewed annually and revised every three years through a consultative process.