Strict Protection of Animal species
Guidance on Habitats Directive Articles
12 and 16Up until now, most of the attention regarding
the implementation of the Habitats Directive has focused on
the establishment of the Natura 2000 network. This "1st pillar"
of the directive refers to the conservation of natural habitats
and of the habitats of species. The Habitats Directive however
comprises a "2nd pillar", which is related to the protection
of species. In particular, Articles 12 and 16 are aimed at
the establishment and implementation of a strict protection
regime for animal species listed in Annex IV(a) of the Habitats
Directive within the whole territory of Member States. A Working Group of Member States formed
under the Habitats Committee, met eight times from June 2002
to February 2005 to discuss certain concepts and definitions
used in Articles 12 and 16 which have caused implementation
problems in member states. The groups' final
report dealing with "Species protection – Article 12 of the
Habitats Directive" (560 KB) can be viewed on the Commission's
CIRCA platform. Based on the work of the group, the Commission
Services have elaborated a "Guidance document on the strict
protection of animal species" (see hereunder). The document
is intended to ensure a common understanding of the respective
provisions among national and regional authorities, conservation
bodies and other structures responsible for or involved in
the implementation of the Habitats Directive. It should provide
help for elaborating pragmatic and flexible ways of dealing
with the provisions and making them effective and practical,
while fully respecting the legal framework.
Based on the work of the group, the Commission Services have elaborated a "Guidance document on the strict protection of animal species" (see hereunder). The document is intended to ensure a common understanding of the respective provisions among national and regional authorities, conservation bodies and other structures responsible for or involved in the implementation of the Habitats Directive. It should provide help for elaborating pragmatic and flexible ways of dealing with the provisions and making them effective and practical, while fully respecting the legal framework.
Open Guidance document:
"Guidance document on the strict protection of animal species of Community interest under the 'Habitats' Directive 92/43/EEC" (final version Feb 2007
   , pdf ~600 KB).
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