EU nature legislation is fit for purpose

As the lead feature this edition of Natura 2000 Newsletter reported on the outcome of the European Commission assessment of the EU's nature laws. The Birds and Habitats Directives are two pieces of pioneering EU legislation forming the cornerstone for nature protection policies. But how well were they working?

Over two years, the European Commission carried out an extensive assessment, a so-called ‘Fitness check’, with a public consultation attracting a record 552,000 contributions from citizens around Europe. Its conclusion, published in December 2016, was that these laws had provided vital protection for wildlife and habitats, and that they were fit for purpose. But there were major challenges linked to their implementation.

The European Commission was now working on an Action Plan to improve the way these rules were applied to ensure that they
really didmake a difference for nature, people and the economy.

• Primary Source

http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/info/pubs/natura2000nl_en.htm http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/info/pubs/natura2000nl_en.htm

EU Bookshop: Find all available issues of Natura 2000 Newsletter http://bookshop.europa.eu/en/natura-2000-pbKHAA13001/issues/?PublicationKey=KHAA13001&EditionKey=KHAA13001ENC_PAPER&CatalogCategoryID=h2YKABstrXcAAAEjXJEY4e5L

European Commission: DG Environment: Nature and biodiversity law: Fitness Check of the Birds and Habitats Directives http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/legislation/fitness_check/index_en.htm

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