Brussels, 22/05/2006 (Agence Europe) - Despite some progress, the strategy adopted by the EU in 2001 to halt the loss of biodiversity by 2010 is far from keeping its promises, as implementation is moving forward at snail's pace. In order to help Member States speed up the process, the Commission presented a new action plan on 22 May that it recommends for accelerating the move towards the EU's objective, showing more ambition than the international community which has also pledged to reverse the trend towards the decline of plant and animal species by the same deadline. Things are serious, as the recent report published by the United Nations Secretary General on Millennium Ecosystem Assessment reveals that Europe's ecosystems have suffered more man-induced fragmentation than those of any other continent. Thus, 42% of mammals, 43% of birds, 45% of butterflies, 30°% of amphibians, 45% of reptiles and 52% of freshwater fish are threatened with extinction. Not to mention the fact that Europe has lost more than half of its wetlands and most high nature value farmland. Commissioner Dimas, who presented this new initiative to the press, said the disappearance of plants and animal species is, with climate change, one of the most serious challenges confronting our planet, if not the most serious as, once species have disappeared, they are gone for ever. He said “we need to be investing in sustaining the variety of life, in sustaining the health of the ecosystems that in turn underpin our prosperity and wellbeing. We know what needs to be done. The Communication on halting the loss of biodiversity by 2010 will help us pull all the actors and resources together so that we meet our commitments”.
The action plan is hinged on ten priority objectives, addressing the most important habitats and species, actions in the wider countryside and marine environment, making regional development more compatible with nature, reducing the impact of invasive alien species, effective international governance, support to biodiversity in international development, reducing negative impacts of international trade, adaptation to climate change, and strengthening the knowledge base. These priorities are accompanied by indicators for monitoring progress and a timetable for evaluations. The plan also includes an advisory mechanism to help decision-makers make better use of existing knowledge.