Globalization is excellent when it comes to stimulating economies, providing access to medical products, or keeping supermarket shelves well-stocked. Yet, it also poses risks to the balance in nature and numerous crimes have been committed over the centuries – both wittingly and unwittingly. With aviation providing the fastest link between any two corners of the world, we all should be aware of our responsibility in protecting natural habitats.
Walking in the Austrian mountains these days, I leave a trail of Himalayan Balsam corpses in my wake. In less than a decade, the plant has rapidly taken over the region, changing the countryside and suffocating native flora, so I try to remove it. It is literally a growing problem that, along with the ultimate in biodiversity killers – Japanese Knotweed – poses a serious threat to ecological balance. While Balsam, introduced to Europe in the mid-nineteenth century as a garden flower, does look pretty, Japanese Knotweed, capable of growing 10 cm a day in the summer months, can also cause serious problems to building foundations, flood systems and other amenities – never mind drop your house value by a good 15%. Removal is an immensely costly undertaking. And yes, Aviation is not to blame for the Balsam/Knotweed problem. The latter can be traced back to Ocean Freight, given that the German botanist and physician, Philipp Franz von Siebold, commissioned as a ship’s surgeon in the Dutch army, brought it back from Asia in the 1820s. Nowadays, it is classed as a Global Pest Plant and is even illegal in certain parts of the world.
Ignorance is risk
What triggered this article, however, was the recent CBS news that Customs agents at Detroit Metro Airport seized 90 live African land snails from passenger’s luggage on 30JUN24. They had been alerted by the strange smell and though the traveler from Ghana then admitted to carrying fresh food items, they had failed to mention that these not only included beef skin and fresh peppers, but also almost 100 three-to-six-inch-sized live snails. Acting Port Director, John Nowak, explained: “These snails are an invasive species that could negatively impact our economy. Our agriculture specialists are always keeping a watchful eye out for harmful plants, animals and insects.” While they would likely to have ended up on a restaurant menu, these snails are considered invasive since, were they to be released into the wild, they would consume a variety of plants and – like the Japanese Knotweed – could even “cause structural damage by using stucco on houses to meet their calcium requirement for shell growth,” according to a customs agent. Not the only snails to be intercepted nor the first invasive species to be stopped there: MAR23 saw a previous snail shipment and, back in OCT23, Detroit customs discovered an invasive Egyptian locust in an Italian cargo shipment – one of at least three such shipments to date.
International trade drives invasive species distribution
Those examples are just a tiny tip of the iceberg. An Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) report from 2023 reveals that over 37,000 non-native species have been introduced to ecosystems and regions around the world, with more than a third these introductions having occurred since 1970. Already they have been responsible for around 60% of global extinctions, and circa 200 new alien species are recorded every year. If nothing is done, 2050 will likely see 36% more alien species than in 2005. And transport plays a huge role, as the report confirms: “The increase in the transport and introduction of invasive alien species worldwide is primarily influenced by economic drivers, especially the expansion of global trade and human travel. There has been a fivefold increase in the size of the global economy over the last 50 years. International trade, which has increased nearly tenfold over the same period, represents the most important pathway through which invasive alien species are transported worldwide. There is a strong link between the volume of commodity imports and the number of invasive alien species in a region, and patterns in the global spread of species mirror shipping and air traffic networks.”
‘Partner in crime’
Air cargo facilitates the rapid movement of goods around the world, and while this is crucial for global trade, it also increases the risk of invasive species being introduced to new environments. A mainly involuntary ‘partner in crime’ in this regard, air cargo offers speed and volume, thus various insects, seeds, or even small animals that may have found their way into shipments or be undeclared items, can survive the journey and establish themselves in a new environment. The wide range of commodities transported also opens the door to hitchhiking pests and diseases. And since air cargo networks have a global reach, connecting even the most remote parts of the world, this potentially introduces invasive species to ecosystems that are particularly vulnerable due to their isolation. Time pressure, poor handling quality, and inadequate training can sometimes be additional factors: the higher the volume and the faster the turnover/turnaround in air cargo, the greater the risk of inadequate inspection and quarantine measures, allowing invasive species to slip through.
Effective biosecurity measures are crucial
Several proactive measures can and should be implemented to prevent the spread of invasive species through air cargo and passenger travel. These should begin with adequate awareness and training measures so that those involved in air traffic (passenger and cargo) can recognize and respond to potential biosecurity threats. Clear communication and collaboration with customs, sharing data on high-risk routes and cargo types can help to ensure that resources are focused where they are most needed. More thorough inspections should be carried out on air cargo, luggage, and personal items, particularly for flights originating from or destined for regions known to harbor invasive species. Airports should also have quarantine zones or facilities where suspicious cargo or items can be isolated and inspected without risking exposure to the surrounding environment. Similarly, aircraft should be thoroughly cleaned, including cargo holds, to prevent the accidental transport of insects, seeds, or other organisms. Likewise, containers should be sealed and treated to prevent stowaways like insects or rodents. Lastly, relevant ICAO and IATA biosecurity protocols should be adhered to. Does your company have a story to tell or best practice to share when it comes to biosecurity?
excellent article Brigitte, The problem of transporting potentially dangerous goods goes back for centuries. The Black Death was brought to Europe by merchants.