A cross-party group of ten MEPs, led by Jaume Asens Llodrà (Verts/ALE), César Luena (S&D), and Irene Montero (The Left), has submitted a parliamentary question to the European Commission warning that the Pityusan wall lizard (Podarcis pityusensis) — an endemic species of Ibiza and Formentera — faces extinction due to the spread of invasive horseshoe whip snakes (Hemorrhois hippocrepis). The MEPs argue that current quarantine measures are insufficient and ask whether the Commission will adopt additional protections and assess the compatibility of existing rules with the strict protection obligations under the Habitats Directive.
The question, dated 13 July 2026, follows the 2024 reclassification of the lizard as 'endangered' by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The MEPs cite evidence from the IbizaPreservation foundation and herpetologists at the University of Salamanca documenting local extinctions on several islets. They identify the main pathway of snake introduction as the transport of large ornamental olive trees and other trees from the Iberian Peninsula for landscaping on the islands.
what measures the Commission intends to adopt to ensure effective protection of the species, and whether it has assessed if current quarantine measures are effective and compatible with Article 12 of Directive 92/43/EEC, which prohibits deliberate killing, disturbance, or deterioration of breeding sites for protected species.
The question signals a push for stricter EU-level action, potentially including enhanced border controls on plant imports, mandatory quarantine protocols, or emergency measures under the Invasive Alien Species Regulation. The Commission is expected to reply within approximately six weeks; its answer will indicate whether it considers existing measures adequate or plans to tighten them.
The lizard's survival depends on effective quarantine, but stricter rules could raise costs for Spanish ornamental tree exporters and landscapers, who may face additional inspection and treatment requirements. Local authorities in the Balearic Islands would gain stronger EU backing for enforcement. Conservation groups would see their calls for action validated, while importers of ornamental trees could face delays and higher compliance burdens.