Luxembourg, 15/07/2005 (Agence Europe) - Prinz von und zu Liechtenstein, Alexander Freiherr von Kottwitz-Erdody, other landowners and the local authorities of Gotzendorf an der Leitha and Ebergassing want the Court of First Instance to annul the European Commission's decision establishing the list of Natura sites of EU interest in Austria because their land is included in the Natura flora and fauna protection zones.
All the landowners argue that the environmental protection zones restrict the use and enjoyment of their property, claiming the European Commission's decision is not based on the necessary balance between higher public interest and citizens' rights. They also point out that the boundaries of the protection zone tend to match the boundaries of the Austrian 'Land' in question, saying this is not right from an environmental point of view.