Press Release: State of Nature: Largest ever assessment draws a mixed picture for Europe’s habitats and species

On 20 May 2015, the European Commission adopted a new report providing the most comprehensive picture yet on the ‘State of Nature in the EU’. The findings show that the majority of birds have a secure status, and some species and habitats are doing better. Targeted conservation actions have brought successes, but a much greater effort is required for the situation to improve significantly.

Every six years, Member States report on the conservation status of species and habitat types protected under the EU Directives. The report covers all wild bird species (about 240), 231 habitat types and more than 1200 other species of EU interest.

The findings of the report were also set to feed into the ongoing Fitness Check of the Birds and Habitats, which is part of a broader exercise of taking stock of EU legislation to ensure that it is fit for purpose.

• Primary Source

EEA: News, 20.05.15: State of nature in the EU: biodiversity still being eroded, but some local improvements observed http://www.eea.europa.eu/highlights/state-of-nature-in-the

EurActiv, 20.05.15: 'State of Nature' report highlights farming impact on EU wildlife http://www.euractiv.com/sections/agriculture-food/state-nature-report-highlights-farming-impact-eu-wildlife-314725

ESO: Background information: State of nature in the EU http://www.europeansources.info/record/state-of-nature-in-the-eu/

Wales: NAW: Research Service: In Brief, 03.07.15: EU State of Nature Report: European laws play an important role in defending biodiversity, however significant declines continue. https://assemblyinbrief.wordpress.com/2015/07/03/eu-state-of-nature-report-european-laws-play-an-important-role-in-defending-biodiversity-however-significant-declines-continue/

EUR-Lex: COM(15)219: Report from the Commission ... The State of Nature in the European Union Report on the status of and trends for habitat types and species covered by the Birds and Habitats Directives for the 2007-2012 period as required under Article 17 of the Habitats Directive and Article 12 of the Birds Directive http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=COM:2015:219:FIN

EurActiv, 14.04.16: EU conservation law ‘modernisation’ may weaken protections http://www.euractiv.com/section/climate-environment/news/eu-conservation-law-modernisation-may-weaken-protections/

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