What we do

Invasive non-native species (INNS) are identified as one of the main causes of biodiversity loss, not just in this country but worldwide. The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) sets out a framework for tackling this issue; contracting parties (which include the UK Government) have agreed to achieve significant reductions in the current rate of biodiversity loss by 2010 including those arising from the impact of invasive non-native species.

The control of INNS is one aspect of the wider need to manage wildlife in the UK, whether this is for conservation purposes, disease control, or the protection of livestock, crops, infrastructure or human health. This often entails culling/clearing, although a variety of other methods are used depending on the circumstances.

In England, responsibility for strategic policy for wildlife management and non-native species lies with Defra. The Non-native Species Secretariat helps coordinate efforts to monitor and control non-native species. A strategy for tackling INNS was published in 2008; this identified the collection of baseline information on public awareness and attitudes as a key first step against which to measure future changes in attitude and perception. We were commissioned to carry out a programme of market research to provide this baseline data. Research was carried out across three key audiences.

General Public
10 three hour workshops, including a deliberative element, were carried out to explore all of the issues fully. These were followed by 600 in-home face-to-face interviews with a representative sample of adults in England using a random, stratified sampling approach.

Freshwater Anglers
An extended focus group and depth interview with a representative body were followed by telephone interviews with a randomly drawn sample of 150 anglers.

Horticultural Retail Trade
Depth interviews with three trade representatives were followed by 126 telephone interviews with a cross-section of the trade.

Our research revealed that there was broad support among the public and anglers for managing wildlife and controlling INNS. It also revealed a willingness on the part of the public to get involved and play their part. We identified a series of concerns people had about managing wildlife and INNS, and put forward suggestions as to how these could be addressed in order to maximise public support. We also put forward recommendations for engaging the public, anglers and the trade with the issues.

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