Snakes and spiders slipping into country in flowers and plants

Spiders, insects, fungi, and agricultural pests are being introduced into the UK and northern Europe through imported cut flowers and ornamental plants, with snakes and lizards also being smuggled in unnoticed. Research has shown that continental European species are infiltrating the region in shipments of plants, causing potential harm to food crops and ecosystems. Despite regulations, the high volume of plant shipments makes it challenging to detect invasive species, and climate change may further exacerbate the problem by allowing disease-carrying insects to thrive in new environments.

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