07/03/2012 04:36 EDT | Updated 09/02/2012 05:12 EDT

Ontario releases new plan to prevent and fight invasive species

TORONTO - The governing Liberals say they're taking a new approach in the ongoing battle to defend Ontario's environment from invasive species.

They've released a new document that outlines how they plan to prevent, detect and slow the progress of non-native species like the zebra mussel and the emerald ash borer.



The document says Ontario has historically had more invasive species than other provinces, and is therefore at a higher risk of having non-native species than other regions in Canada.

It says invasive species are a growing environmental and economic threat to Ontario and once established, are difficult to eradicate.