06.09.2024 – Invasive alien species can cause damage to the environment, the economy and to health. The Ordinance on the Handling of Organisms in the Environment (Release Ordinance, RO) has been amended to prevent additional invasive alien plants from entering and spreading in the environment. This is in line with Switzerland's strategy on invasive alien species.
© BAFU
As of 1 September 2024, certain invasive alien plants may no longer be put into circulation. This means that it is forbidden to distribute them to third parties, for exampleto sell them, give them away, rent them out or import them into Switzerland. The plants affected by the ban, including summer lilac (Buddleja davidii), cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus), the Chinese windmill palm (Trachycarpus fortunei, also known in Switzerland as the ‘Ticino palm’) and the princess tree (Paulownia tomentosa), are listed in the updated Annex 2.2 RO, which was amended on 1 March 2024. Plants listed in Annex 2.2 RO that were already in gardens or pots before 1 September 2024 do not have to be removed.
Invasive alien species in Switzerland
An inventory of alien species and their impact. Situation as of 2022
Further plants have been added to the list of those that may not be handled in the environment, as found in Annex 2.1 RO. The affected plants, among them the tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima), may no longer be handled in the environment, for example they may no longer be planted, cultivated, propagated or put into circulation. It is only permitted to take measures to control them.
The federal government can now also check at customs whether plants listed in Annexes 2.1 and 2.2 RO are being imported in contravention of the ban on handling and circulation. The cantons are responsible for enforcing the ban in all other cases.
Summer lilac (Buddleja davidii)
Originally introduced as an ornamental shrub, the butterfly bush now spreads aggressively and displaces native species in open habitats.
© 2011, Alfons Schmidlin, Lizenz: CC-BY
Tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima)
Native to Asia, the tree of heaven spreads rapidly through adventitious shoots, damages infrastructure, and threatens native biodiversity
© 2012, Erwin Jörg, Lizenz: CC-BY-NC-SA
Cherry laurel hedge
Cherry laurel hedge in a garden.
© iStock/bryttaFAQs
Why is it a problem when invasive alien plants displace native plants?
Native biodiversity plays a vital role in food production, drinking water, raw materials, and health and safety (e.g. protection against natural hazards), among other things. If native species are displaced, they can no longer fulfil their functions in the ecosystem (see the IPBES report on Invasive Alien Species).
What is the signficance of the amendment to the Release Ordinance? What is the difference between Annexes 2.1 and 2.2 RO? Which plants are now banned?
Plants listed in Annexes 2.1 and 2.2 RO may no longer be transferred to third parties or imported into Switzerland.
Plants listed in Annex 2.1 RO may no longer be handled in the environment. This means that it is prohibited to plant, cultivate or put them into circulation, and to transfer them to third parties, for example to sell, put into circulation, rent or import them. It is only permitted to take measures to control them. Plants in the form of medicinal products, animal feed and foodstuffs are not affected by the ban.
Plants listed in Annex 2.2 RO may no longer be put into circulation, i.e. they may not be distributed to third parties or imported. This means that, since 1 September 2024, these plants may for example not be sold or given away. However, the plants listed in Annex 2.2 RO do not have to be removed from gardens, balconies or terraces; it is still permitted to cultivate them, unlike the plants listed in Annex 2.1 RO.
In other words, nurseries may no longer sell cherry laurel (plant listed in Annex 2.2 RO) but a gardener may continue to prune cherry laurel hedges for private individuals to encourage growth. This is not permitted for plants listed in Annex 2.1 RO.
The duty of care with regard to invasive alien plants still applies: plants listed in Annex 2.2 RO must be handled in such a way that humans, animals and the environment are not adversely affected and the plants cannot spread and multiply in an uncontrolled way in the environment.
The difference between the annexes is:
- Annex 2.1 RO lists plants which may not be handled in the environment.
- Annex 2.2 RO lists plants which may not be put into circulation.
I own plants listed in Annex 2.2 RO. What I do to prevent their spread?
The duty of care with regard to plants listed in Annex 2.2 RO still applies: these plants must be handled in such a way that they do not harm humans, animals or the environment. They must not be allowed to spread and multiply in an uncontrolled way in the environment.
Info Flora has produced a series of factsheets on the plants in Annex 2.2 RO and these explain how to prevent their spread. Useful information can also be obtained from the cantons. For example, the Chinese windmill palm (‘Ticino palm’), buddleia and cherry laurel should ideally not be allowed to flower, or the berries should be removed before the seeds ripen. Fruits and clippings must be disposed of properly.
Can nurseries still overwinter plants listed in Annex 2.2 RO (e.g. Chinese windmill palms) belonging to customers?
If a plant listed in Annex 2.2 RO is brought to a nursery for overwintering, this does not count as putting it into circulation, provided that:
- the plant is overwintered in a glasshouse;
- the person or company taking care of the plant does not have any personal interest in handling the plant at home or at the premises, and
- the plant is returned to the owner at the beginning of spring.
If these conditions are met, it is then still permitted to overwinter the plants listed in Annex 2.2. RO, such as the Chinese windmill palm.
Do I have to remove prohibited plants (Annex 2.1 or 2.2 RO) from my garden or balcony?
No, environment law does not require these plants to be controlled. Ambrosia artemisiifolia must be controlled under agricultural legislation.
Even if there is no requirement to control invasive plants under current legislation, it is advisable to remove them and replace them with native plants.
Why is it not permitted to put Chinese windmill palms (also known as ‘Ticino palms’) into circulation?
The Chinese windmill palm has been spreading steadily since the end of the 20th century in forests at lower altitudes on the southern side of the Alps and also in warmer locations on the northern side of the Alps. Dense stands of the palm prevent the growth of young native trees and lead to less diversity in the understory.
They also jeopardise the stability of slopes and protection forests because, unlike native trees, the Chinese windmill palm does not have strong and deep roots that stabilise the soil. It is an invasive alien species in Switzerland (see FOEN publication ‘Alien species in Switzerland’).
Why is it no longer permitted to put a plant as widespread as the cherry laurel into circulation?
The cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus) is an invasive alien plant. It spreads quickly and mainly colonises hedges, forest edges and woodlands. The young trees can form dense stands that prevent the regeneration of the forest and crowd out native vegetation. For these reasons, cherry laurel is now listed in Annex 2.2 of the Release Ordinance and may for example no longer be sold or distributed as of 1 September 2024. However, existing cherry laurel hedges in gardens may be left as they are. The duty of care with regard to invasive alien plants still applies: cherry laurel must be handled in such a way that humans, animals and the environment are not adversely affected and the plants cannot spread and multiply in an uncontrolled way in the environment.
Who can I contact in my canton if I have questions about the Release Ordinance?
Contact details of the cantonal environment agencies can be found here:
Contact: contact.releases@bafu.admin.ch
Further information
Last modification 06.09.2024
