Invasive species are flooding in – decisions at the EU level after the summer

Malmö – The Swedish growing season of 2025 is characterized by a frantic search for flatworms in nurseries and garden centers. An invasive flatworm from South America must be stopped.

The worm is flat and inconspicuous, and it is difficult for humans to find as it usually stays a bit below the surface. Here it can cause significant damage, as it kills and eats earthworms, which risks having a major impact on the soil’s fertility.

The problem is that, as far as is known so far, it lacks natural enemies in Sweden.

The first finding of the flatworm, which has the Latin name Obama nungara, was made in a planting in Malmö in November last year. In December, the government decided to give authorities the right to take emergency measures. As of January 7, it is prohibited to spread it further in Sweden.

But imported plants are flooding in now that it is peak season for nurseries. Special search dog teams find the worm almost every time they are out.

So far, the ban on spreading only applies in Sweden, which complicates things for importers, but a decision at the EU level is expected after the summer.

(April 21)