<p>The EU considers invasive alien species to be a major threat to Europe's native biodiversity. They also cause economic damage amounting to billions of euros every year. This threat and damage is likely to increase in the future unless decisive and coordinated action is taken to control introduction pathways, prevent their establishment and spread, and manage already established populations. Prevention is a priority because established populations can be expensive to manage and difficult or impossible to eradicate. The IAS Regulation (Regulation (EU) 1143/2014 on invasive alien species) entered into force on 1 January 2015. A list of Invasive Alien Species of Union concern (the Union list) has been adopted and currently includes 49 species that are subject to common action at EU level as set out in the IAS Regulation. The fifth target of the EU Biodiversity Strategy is the objective of Dutch policy on invasive alien species.</p>