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12 August 2026
New Government-commissioned risk assessment finds invasive Cherry Laurel poses a High risk to Ireland’s biodiversity, with High confidence.
A newly published risk assessment of Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus) has found the invasive plant poses an overall High risk to Ireland’s biodiversity, with High confidence. In response, the Irish Wildlife Trust (IWT) and the Gaelic Woodland Project are calling on the Government to commit to a clear timeline for a nationwide ban on its sale.
The risk assessment is available here
The assessment, produced by the National Biodiversity Data Centre at the request of the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), is now open for stakeholder and public consultation. Every pathway by which Cherry Laurel spreads in Ireland — nursery sales, contaminated soil, garden escape, and intentional planting for hedging — is rated likely to very likely, and it is already causing significant ecological harm.
“This risk assessment gives us total clarity on Cherry Laurel, it is a highly invasive species that is spreading extremely quickly. It is suffocating our native woodlands, outcompeting native flora and putting immense pressure on fragile ecosystems across Ireland. Anything short of a full ban on the sale of Cherry Laurel is irresponsible governance in the midst of a biodiversity crisis.” — Oisín Ó Néill, Nature Advocacy Officer, Irish Wildlife Trust
Key findings
Ireland already has some measures in place but the assessment shows these are not working. Cherry Laurel supports a cut foliage industry worth an estimated €7 million annually and close to 400 registered nurseries are selling it for hedging, but the IWT and Gaelic Woodland Project argue that economic value must be weighed against the damaging ecological cost, with Ireland already ranking among the bottom 10% of countries globally for Biodiversity Intactness and invasive species recognised as a significant driver of Biodiversity loss. Significant effort and public money has been spent tackling and attempting to remove Cherry Laurel infestations from areas of high value nature including Glen of the Downs, Hazelwood and the Coole-Garryland Special Areas of Conservation.
“Over six years facilitating volunteer removal efforts, we have met hundreds of people giving their weekends to tackling local Cherry Laurel infestations. This report from the NBDC confirms the national situation is actually worse than we thought. This has been an under-appreciated ecological crisis and a serious threat to our native woodlands. We hope the Minister will heed the warning of this report and honour the efforts of communities by prohibiting the sale of Cherry Laurel. Government action here would demonstrate a unified commitment to protecting our natural heritage.” — Eoghan Connaughton, Ecologist and Founder, Gaelic Woodland Project
The Ask. The IWT and GWP are calling on the Irish Government to:
The public and stakeholder comment period is open now via invasives.ie.
ENDS
Media Contact: Oisín Ó Néill, Irish Wildlife Trust Nature Advocacy Officer, oisin@iwt.ie
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