Slovakia has failed to take the necessary measures to conserve protected capercaillie habitats in Natura 2000 areas, the Court of Justice of the European Union ruled on Wednesday 22 June (Case C-661/20).
In its judgment, the Court ruled that Slovakia should have submitted for assessment under the Habitats Directive several projects and plans, including forest maintenance, emergency and/or intensive logging and use of pesticides to eliminate damage caused by pests affecting twelve Natura 2000 areas in the country.
By failing to take special conservation measures for capercaillie habitats in most of the Natura 2000 areas designated for its conservation, Slovakia has also violated the Birds Directive.
Read the judgment: https://aeur.eu/f/29d (Original version in French by Mathieu Bion)