Researchers say improved standards are urgently needed to make the importing of plants more sustainable and less damaging.

Continental European snakes, geckos and Italian wall lizards are making their way to northern Europe undetected among imports of ornamental olive trees destined for gardens and green spaces.

Spiders, insects, fungi and agricultural pests are being imported into the UK and northern Europe in cut flowers and other ornamental plants. Snakes and lizards are also slipping unnoticed into ...

Researchers say improved standards are urgently needed to make the importing of plants more sustainable and less damaging Olive trees on sale in UK garden centre (Silviu Petrovan/University of ...

"Adult snakes and lizards are just the tip of the iceberg," said Prof William Sutherland, of the University of Cambridge. "If they're getting through, what's the chance of us spotting small insects ...

Olive trees on sale in UK garden centre (Silviu Petrovan/University of Cambridge/PA) Invasive species including snakes and lizards are slipping unnoticed into northern Europe in vast shipments of ...