The EU approach to biodiversity and Wildlife Management Stefan Leiner Head of the Nature Unit, DG ENV European Commission Wildlife Estates plenary session 2-4 September 2014, Holkham, UK
The EU approach to biodiversity and Wildlife Management
Stefan Leiner
Head of the Nature Unit, DG ENV
European Commission
Wildlife Estates plenary session
2-4 September 2014, Holkham, UK
The EU 2020 Biodiversity Strategy
The EU nature legislation: Natura 2000 and
species protection
Links with wildlife management
Key challenges and conclusions
Strategy
addressing main drivers of biodiversity loss and aiming to reduce key pressures
specific, partly time-bound measures
EU nature legislation and Natura 2000
Protection of biodiversity - all wild bird species in the EU - listed habitats & non-bird species
Legal obligations: Favourable conservation status (habitats & species) / adequate population (birds)
Conserves species & habitats across entire natural range in EU, irrespective of political boundaries;
Selects sites using the same scientific criteria;
Offers strong legal protection but has high flexibility and subsidiarity provisions;
18% of the EU territory: environmental and socio-economic challenges
Works in collaboration with land owners & users;
Supports sustainable development : new activities or development affecting N2000 are not automatically excluded, not all strictly protected areas
The Natura 2000 Webviewer http://natura2000.eea.europa.eu/#
Species Protection Under Directives
• BHD provides system of strict species protection
• Derogations allowed under specific conditions
• Annex V HD and Annex II BD lists species that can be hunted
• COM Guidance
• Fostering Partnerships
Other key actions in Biodiversity policy
restoring at least 15% of degraded ecosystems
MAES
No net loss initiative
establishing ‘Green Infrastructure’ throughout the EU
Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
New Invasive Alien Species legislation
Global
EU and wildlife management
Wildlife management matters for the EU Key actors for implementation - they manage large
part of the biodiversity Key advocates of tradition, heritage and long term
sustainability Key knowledge holders - they know what is the
situation on the ground …
EU matters for wildlife managers Wildlife depends on healthy ecosystems and high
biodiversity Migratory species need cross-border approach CAP, LIFE and other policies can influence wildlife,
both positive and negative Promotes science-based approach Recognises wildlife management as a genuine part of
rural development …
Key challenges to achieve EU B&N Objectives
Effective protection, management and financing of the Natura
2000 sites
Effective implementation and respect for the legislation
Integration into other policies such as land use agriculture/CAP,
regional, fisheries, energy …
Creation of an appropriate legal, administrative, financial
framework
Better cooperation between actors
Better understanding of value of ecosystem services
Political will
Conclusions
Wildlife managers are key actors and partners for
the EU biodiversity and nature policy
Opportunities for mutual benefits
Wildlife Estates Initiative is an excellent tool to
promote and reward best practice
Needs to integrate Natura 2000 management
aspects
Rewarding best practice
Thank You !
more info on: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/index_en.htm