On Tuesday 12 May, the European Commission launched a public consultation on the Birds and Habitats Directives, with contributions feeding into a stress test of the two texts.
This initiative is part of the simplification efforts undertaken by the Commission, aimed at strengthening EU competitiveness while preserving its environmental, economic and social objectives.
The ‘Nature Directives’ protect birds and habitats across Europe, contributing to biodiversity resilience and to the implementation of international commitments.
Announced in December 2025, the ‘stress test’ aims to assess whether these texts effectively achieve their nature protection objectives, while ensuring cost-efficiency.
The stress test will also identify ways of reducing unnecessary administrative burden, without compromising the level of ambition or high standards of nature protection.
In late March 2026, the Commission already published two documents: one on Natura 2000 and climate change and another on certain provisions of the Birds Directive. These documents complement Natura 2000 and fishing guidelines published in October 2025.
The public consultation remains open until 4 August. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)