On Wednesday 7 December, the European Commission finally admitted that it would be better to improve the “Habitats” and “Birds” directives rather than revise the legislation on these subjects. In an effort to rectify the shortcomings observed in the implementation of these two directives, the College therefore chose a plan of action at the end of the orientation debate on the results from the health check on these flagship directives that seek to protect nature (see EUROPE 11683).
In so doing, the Commission has met the aims of all those such as the Environment Council, European Parliament, NGOs and citizens, who have been mobilising for months to stop this legislation been tampered with and whose efficiency has been proven. The controversy is now over.
Commission Spokesperson, Margaritis Schinas, informed the press “Our approach is not ideological, it is pragmatic”.
In the health checks presented to the College by Vice Presidents Frans Timmermans and Jyrki Katainen and Commissioner Karmenu Vella, the main problems identified involved poor management and insufficient investment in the pan-European natural habitats network Natura 2000, as well as delays in implementation at a local level (mainly due to administrative red tape when granting licenses and the absence of appropriate assessments for managing different species).
Assistance from local authorities. The action plan the Commission is going to expand on in cooperation with the member states will involve a contribution from the mayors and regions to help member states take corrective measures. It will also consist of guidelines for local level implementation. The Committee of the Regions (CoR) will be closely involved in a follow-up to the plan. Commissioner Vella will provide regular reports to the College on the progress achieved.
Victory for the environment and European cooperation. Martin Häusling MEP (Greens/EFA, Germany) was delighted and said that this is “a victory for the environment and the whole of Europe”. The WWF, BEE, FoE and Birdlife welcomed the Commission’s decision to save the “Nature” directives as demanded by 500,000 citizens. According to these NGOs, “This also is a victory for the idea of European cooperation as nature knows no boundaries” and “a defeat for those who seek to slash our environmental protections in the name of cutting so-called ‘red tape’.” (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)