COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 
C0MC91) 27 final 
Brussels, 8 February 1991 
Modified proposal for a 
COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 
on the conservation of natural and semi-natural habitats 
and of wild fauna and flora 
(presented by the Commission pursuant to Article 149, 
paragraph 3 of the EEC Treaty) 
IE 
EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM 
On September 16, 1988 the Commission presented to the Council a 
draft Directive on the protection of natural and semi-natural 
habitats and of wild fauna nad flora, as adopted by the Commission 
on July 26, 1988. The missing annexes were transmitted to the 
Council on March 14, 1990. 
On November 19, 1990 the European Parliament adopted with a large 
majority £3. amendments to the Commission's proposal. 
29 of these amendments are at 
Commission as far as they Include 
the Initial text. least partly acceptable to the 
Improvements or clarifications of 
To that effect the Commission has decided, in accordance with the 
third paragraph of the article 149 of the Treaty, to amend the 
proposal of the initial draft Directive. 
Original text Amended text 
Title 
Proposal for a Council Directive on 
the protection of natural and semi-
natural habitats and of wild fauna 
and flora Proposal for a Council Directive on the 
conservation of natural and semi-
natural habitats and of wild fauna and 
flora 
Article 1 
The aim of this Directive is to 
conserve natural and semi-natural 
habitats and wild fauna and flora in 
the European territory of the Member 
States to which the Treaty applies, 
including maritime areas under the 
sovereignty or jurisdiction of the 
Member states. The aim of this Directive is to 
conserve natural and semi-natural 
habitats and wild fauna and flora at a 
satisfactory conservation status in the 
European territory of the Member States 
to which the Treaty applies, Including 
maritime areas under the sovereignty or 
jurisdiction of the Member States. 
Article 2 
Member States shall take the 
requisite measures to maintain the 
abundance and diversity of wild 
flora and fauna at a level which 
corresponds in particular to 
ecological, scientific and cultural 
requirements and the needs of 
subspecies, varieties, forms and 
populations at risk locally, while 
taking account of economic and 
recreational requirements. 1. Member States shall take the 
requisite measures to maintain the 
abundance and diversity of wild 
flora and fauna at a level which 
corresponds In particular to 
ecological» scientific and cultural 
requirements and the needs of 
subspecies» varieties, forms and 
populations at risk locally, while 
taking account of economic and 
recreational requirements. 
2x. Member States shall take appropri­
ate steps to monitor the conserva­
tion status of species and habitats 
mentioned in Article 1 in ail the 
regions of their territories where 
thev occur. taking particular 
account of ; 
(a) the need to monitor the status 
of threatened species aM 
habitats, and 
(b) the need to monitor the effec­
tiveness of measures undertaken 
pursuant to paragraph 1 of the 
present Article. 
- 2 -
Article 3 (ea) (new) 
(ea) "conservation status" mean?—L 
the sum of the influences acting 
on a species that may affect its 
long term distribution angi 
abundance or Uie_ suffi Qjf_ 
influences acting on a habitat 
which may affect Its long term 
distribution and Integrity. 
Conservation status will fee. 
taken as "satisfactory" for a 
species when ; 
1, population dynamics data 
Indicate that the species is 
maintaining Itself on a long-
term basis as a viable 
component of its ecosystems; 
2. the range of the species is 
neither currently being 
reduced, nor Is likely to be 
reduced on a long term basis; 
3. there Is. and will be in the 
foreseeable future. 
sufficient habitat ta 
maintain the population ox 
the species on a long term 
basis. 
The conservation status of a 
species will be taken as 
"unsatisfactory" If any oi lue. 
conditions set out Ln sub­
paragraphs (D-(3) is not met, 
Conservation status win be taken 
as "satisfactory" for a habitai 
when ; 
1. the extent pj a habitat Is 
neither currently being reduced 
nor Is likely to be reduced on a 
long term basis; 
2. the habitat Ls noj currently 
undergoing degradation, nor is 
HKely to become degraded on a 
long term basis, within làe. 
areas where It currently exists: 
- 3 -
3. the distribution and abundance 
of the habitat is being 
maintained at a level which is 
consistent with Long term 
resource management. 
The conservation atalyji ol a 
ùafeLLal «ou te ukjan as. 
"unfavorable" LI any. oî—lue. 
conditions asJ oui Lu ite 
subparagraphs m-(3) above Is not 
met, Article 3 (eb) (new) 
(eb) "Special Protection Area" means : 
Any area notified to the Commission 
as an area which Is Important to 
maintain or achieve a satisfactory 
conservât Ion slams fox any. 
threatened snacies mentioned in 
Annex I or threatened habitat 
mentlonned in Annex IV. 
Special Protection areas thus 
notified shall contribute to the 
network as envisaged in article 6. 
of this Directive; and the Member 
States shall be responsible for the 
precise form of protected status to 
be applied and Ite conservation 
measures to be applied within SPA's 
In order to maintain or to enhance me conservation slalus ox. in particular. thsisa species and habitats for which the areas are important. 
Article 5.1 
1. Habitats of the species specified 
in accordance with Annex I and 
the types of habitat specified in 
accordance with Annex IV shall be 
the subject of 
conservât Ion measures In 
ensure the maintenance 
species concerned 
satisfactory level In their 
of natural distribution as 
as the conservation of 
habitats concerned In all 
regions where they occur. at special 
order to 
of the 
a 
area 
we 11 
the 
the 1. Habitats of the species specified 
In accordance with Annex I and the 
types of habitat specified In 
accordance with Annex IV shall be 
the subject of special conservation 
measures In order to ensure the 
maintenance or re-establIshment of 
the species concerned at a 
satisfactory conservation status In 
their area of natural distribution 
as well as the conservation of the 
habitats concerned in all the 
regions where they occur. 
Article 5.3 
3. Within, at the latest, eight 
years after the expiry of the 
period laid down in Article 27, 
Member States shall classify as 
special protection areas terri­
tories sufficient in number and 
size to ensure : 3. Within, at the latest, eight years 
after the expiry of the period laid 
down In Article 27, Member States 
shall classify as special 
protection areas territories 
sufficient in number and size to 
ensure : 
I) the maintenance of the species 
specified in accordance with 
Annex I at a satisfactory level 
in all regions where they occur, I) the maintenance of the species 
specified in accordance with 
Annex I at a satisfactory 
conservation status m an regions 
where they occur, 
Article 12.1 (b) 
(b) deliberate disturbance, particu­
larly during the period of 
breeding, rearing and hiber­
nation, insofar as disturbance 
would be significant in relation 
to the objectives of this 
Directive; (b) deliberate disturbance, particu­
larly during the period of 
breeding, rearing, hibernation and 
migration, insofar as disturbance 
would be significant In relation to 
the objectives of this Directive; 
Article 12.1 (d) 
(d) the keeping and sale 
specimens taken from the wild. of (d) the keeping, transport, sale ox 
exchange. or offering lot sais ox 
exchange 
wild. of specimens taken from the 
Article 14.2 
Exploitation, whether commercial 
or otherwise, of the species 
specified In accordance with 
Annex III (a) should only be 
permitted of species whose 
population Is shown to be stable 
or increasing and exploitation 
must be sustainable. Such 
exploitation shall be subject to 
a management plan with the aims 
specified in Annex VIII in order 
to keep wild populations of those 
species at a satisfactory level 
and to avoid causing local 
disappearance of or serious 
disturbance to populations. 2. Exploitation, whether commercial or 
otherwise, of the species specified 
In accordance with Annex MS (a) 
should only be permitted of species 
whose population Is shown to be 
stable or Increasing an.-* 
exploitation must be sustah.u>i@. 
Such exploitation shall be subject 
to a management plan with 
the alms specified In Annex VIM in 
order to keep wild populations of 
those species at a satisfactory 
conservation status and to avoid 
causing local disappearance of or 
serious disturbance to other 
populations or habitats. 
Article 14.5 
Member States shall, where 
appropriate, take other measures, 
in particular : 
(a) closed seasons and/or other 
procedures regulating exploita­
tion; 
(b) temporary or local prohibi­
tion of exploitation, In order to 
restore satisfactory population 
I eve I s -. 
(c) regulation of the sale, 
keeping for sale, transporting 
for sale or offering for sale of 
specimens. 5. Member States shall, where 
appropriate, take other measures, 
in particular : 
(a) closed seasons and/or other 
procedures regulating exploita­
tion; 
(b) temporary or local prohibi­
tion of exploitation, In order to 
restore the satisfactory 
conservation status 
(c) regulation of the sale, keeping 
for sale, transporting for sale or 
offering for sale of specimens. 
Article 16 
Member States shall take the 
requisite measures to ensure that 
inshore fishing and protection of 
crops with nets are not detrimental 
to the conservation of threatened 
species specified in accordance with 
Annex II, and, as far as possible, 
other species of wild fauna and 
flora. Member States shall take the requisite 
measures to ensure that fishing and 
protection of crops with nets are not 
detrimental to the conservation of 
threatened species specified in 
accordance with Annex II, and, as far 
as possible, other species of wild 
fauna and flora. 
- 6 -
Article 17.1 (e) 
(e) to permit, under strictly 
supervised conditions, on a 
selective basis and to a limited 
extent, the taking or keeping of 
certain wild animals and plants In 
smalI numbers. (e) to 
supervised 
basis and 
taking or 
animals and plants 
specified numbers. permit, under strictly 
conditions, on a selective 
to a limited extent, the 
keeping of certain wild 
i n sma 11 and 
Article 17.3 (b) 
(b) the means, arrangements or 
methods authorized for capture or 
k111i ng; (b) the means, arrangements or methods 
authorized for capture or killing and 
why these form the most satisfactory 
solution» 
Article 20.3 
3. Member States and the Commission 
shall promote multi-disciplinary 
analysis and evaluation with a 
view to Increasing scientifi­
cally-based knowledge to which 
the measures carried out under 
this Directive can be anchored. 
Such information shou Id be made 
available to the public. 3. Member States and the Commission 
shall promote multi-disciplinary 
analysis and evaluation with a view 
to Increasing scientifically-based 
knowledge to which the measures 
carried out under this Directive 
can be anchored, in particular the 
Commission shall undertake studies 
to draw UP an inventory of sites 
meeting lus criteria listed In 
Annex Y(a) and Y(b) and shall Keep 
this Inventory UP to date. Such 
Information shalI be made available 
to the pub Iic. 
- 7 -
Article 24.1 
Member States shall 
necessary measures to 
monitoring of 
commun i t i es and 
of species 
accordance with 
the areas 
Article 5. 
send the 
information 
monitoring, 
appropriate 
vIew to 
necessary 
fulfIIment take all 
ensure the 
the biological 
the populations 
specified In 
Annex I and In 
classified under 
Member States shall 
Commission the 
resulting from 
so that it may take 
initiatives with a 
the coordination 
to ensure the 
of the objectives of 
this Directive. 1. Member States shall take all 
necessary measures to ensure the 
monitoring of the biological 
communities and the populations of 
species specified In accordance 
with Annex I and in the areas 
classified under Article 5. Member 
States shall send the Commission 
the information resulting from 
monitoring, so that It may take 
appropriate Initiatives with a view 
to the coordination necessary to 
ensure the fulfilment of the 
objectives of this Directive. The 
Commission shall make the results 
from monitoring available OH 
££flUfi3l. 
Article 25 (b) 
(b) ensure that 
Into the 
which do not 
the wild state 
does not prejudice 
fauna and flora or the 
wild of 
occur 
in introduction 
any species 
naturally in 
that region 
the local 
its natural 
habitats. In 
they shall 
Commission. this connection 
consult the (b) forbid the introduction into the 
wild of any species which do not 
occur naturally in the wild state 
In that region, unless It Is proved 
that It Is necessary and will not 
prejudice the local fauna and flora 
or Its natural habitats. In this 
connection they shall consult the 
Commission. 
Article 26 
Application of measures taken 
pursuant to this Directive shall not 
lead to any deterioration in the 
present situation as regards the 
conservation of species and 
communities of wild fauna and flora 
referred to in Article 1. Application of measures taken pursuant 
to this Directive shall not lead to any 
deterioration in the present situation 
as regards the conservation of 
habitats, species and communities of 
wild fauna and flora referred to in 
Article 1. 
-1-
ANNEX I 
Original Amended 
a) ANIMALS 
VERTEBRATES 
(...) 
Phocidae 
Monacus monacus 
(...) (...) 
Phocidae 
Monacftus monacûus 
(...) 
b) PLANTS 
PTERIDOPHYTA 
(...) 
DICKSON IACEAE 
Culcita macrocarpa C,Près I 
(...) 
ANGIOSPERMAE 
ALISMATACEAE 
Cal des I a parnasslfolla (l.)Parlt 
(...) 
CAMPANULACEAE 
Asvneuma gloanteum (Boiss.) 
Bornm, 
(...) 
Trachelium asperuloides Boiss. & 
Qroh. 
CARYOPHYLLACEAE 
(...) 
HernlaMa algarvlca Chaudrl 
(...) 
COMPOS ITAE 
(...) 
Lloularia slbirlca (L.) Cass. 
(...) 
LABIATAE 
(...) 
Neoeta dirphva (Boiss.) He I dr. ex 
Halacsy 
(...) 
LILiACEAE 
(...) 
Androcymblum réchanger I Qreuter 
(...) 
ORCHIDACEAE 
(...) 
Cyprlpedlum caiceolus It 
(...) 
/<> 
-2-
TYPHACEAE 
...) 
Tvpha shuttleworthll Koch & 
Sonder 
...) 
UMBELLIFERAE 
...) 
Aolum reoens (Jaca.) Lao. 
...) 
ThoreMa vert tel I lat Inundata 
(Thore) Brio. 
...) 
LOWER PLANTS 
...) 
MACRO-LICHENES 
COLIEMATACEAE 
Collema dichotomum (Wlth.l 
Copplns et Laundon 
leotoglum cortlcola (Taylor) 
Tuck. 
Leotoglum lurreslanum Tavares 
LOBARIACEAE 
PseudocYPhellarla lacerata Pegel, 
Pseudocvphe Maria norvegIca 
(Gvelnlk) P.W. James 
RAMALINACEAE 
Ramalina eleoans (Baal. & Car.ï 
Stlzenb. 
(...) 
YERRUCARIACEAE 
Cataovrenlure psoromoides (Borrer) 
R. Sant. 
(...) 
SPECIES FOR MACARONESIA 
PTERIDOPHYTA 
(...) 
MARSILACEAE 
Mars ilea azorlca Uaunert 
ANGIOSPERMAE 
ASCLEPIADACEAE 
Caralluma burchardil N.Et Brown 
(...) 
CAPRIFOLIACEAE 
Sambucus pa Imens is Link 
(...) 
CONVOLVULACEAE 
(...) 
Convolvulus massonll A. Dletr. 
(...) 
-3-
ERICACEAE 
Erica scooarla L. subsp. azorica 
(Hochstt) P,A. Webb 
EUPHORBIACEAE 
Euphorbia hand lens Is Burchard 
(...) 
LABIATAE 
SIderltis CYStosiohon Sventt SIderltis discolor (Webb ex de 
Noe) Bolle (...) 
LEGUMINOSAE 
Anagvris latifoMa BroUSS, fiJL 
Wllld. 
Dor vcn i um soectablle Webb & 
Berthelt 
Lotus azorlcus P.W. Ball 
Lotus callls-virldls P. Bramwell 
& D.H. Davis 
Lotus Kunke 111 LL, Chueca) IL. 
Bramwell et al. 
Tellne sa I so loi des Arco & Acebes. 
LIL1ACEAE 
Androcymblum psammophllum Svent. 
MYR1CACEAE Myrlca rlvas-martlnezll SantoSt (...) 
PLUMBAGINACEAE 
Llmonlum arborescens (BroUSSt) 
Kuntte 
Llmonlum dendroldes Svent, 
Llmonlum soectablle (Svent.) 
KunkeI & Sundlng Llmonlum sventenl 1 Santos & Fernandez Gal van 
ROSACEAE 
Bencomla brachvstachva Svent. 
(...) 
RUTACEAE 
Ruta mlcrocarpa Sventt 
SCROPHULARIACEAE 
(...) 
Isoplexls chaicantha svent. & 
Q'Shanahan 
SELAG1NACEAE 
Globularla ascanM D. BraraweM ft 
KunkeI 
Globular!g sarcoohvlla Svent. 
4t 
-4-
SOLANACEAE 
Solanum I Id!1 Sundlng 
(...) 
LOWER PLANTS 
Li£U£N££ 
Hvpoovmnla madelrensis (Tav.) 
D. Hawksw. 
ANNEX I I 
Or iginal Amended 
a) ANIMALS 
VERTEBRATES 
(...) 
CARNIVORA 
(...) 
Ursldae 
Ali species 
Mustelidae 
(...) 
Mustela outorlus 
Felidae 
FelIs siivestrls 
(...) (...) 
CARNIVORA 
(...) 
Ursldae 
Mustelidae 
(...) 
(Deleted) 
Felidae 
(Deleted) 
(...) 
OPHIDIA 
BoIdae 
(...) 
INVERTEBRATES 
(...) (...) 
ECHINOPERMA 
CI PAROI PEA 
Centrostephanus long I soi nus 
MOLLUSCS 
GASTROPODA 
(...) 
PR0S0BRANCH1A 
Patella ferruginea 
BIVALVIA 
ANISOMYARIA 
Lithophaga lithophaga 
Pinna nob Ills 
(...) 
/* 
ANNEX I I I 
Or iginal Amended 
a) ANIMALS 
VERTEBRATES 
MAMMALS 
CARNIVORA 
(...) 
FeMdae 
Fells sllvesUis 
Mustelidae 
(...) 
Mustela putorlus 
(...) 
INVERTEBRATES 
(...) 
ARTHROPODA 
CRUSTACEA-DECAPODA 
(...) 
ScYltarldae 
ScYllarides latus 
(...) 
b) PLANTS 
(...) ALGA& 
Phymathollthon calcareum 
LIthothamnlum coral!Ioides 
(...) 
PHANEROGAMES GYMNOSPERMES 
Taxus baccata L. 
(...) (Deleted) 
(Deleted) 
(...) 
- 1 -
ANNEX IV 
Original Amended 
End of the first paragraph 
partially updated February 14, 
1989. ... partially updated February 14, 
1989, where the habitat is listed In 
CORlNE-
COASTAL AND HALOPHITIC HABITATS 
(...) 
sea cuffs and their vegetation 
(blotopes 17.2 et 17,3) 
(...) 
18.21 Atlantic coasts 
(...) (...) 
Shingle beaches (17) and cliffs (18) 
17.2 Annual vegetation of drift 
lines 
17.3 Perennial vegetation o_f 
shingle banks 
(...) 
18.21 Atlantic coasts (Including 
Baltic coasts) 
(...) 
FRESHWATER HABITATS 
(...) 
22.12 
22.12 
(...) 01igo-mesotrophic waters in 
Central Europe and round the 
Alps with amphibious 
vegetation : Littorella and 
Isoetes (22.31) and annual 
vegetation on exposed banks 
(Nanocyperetalia) (22.32) 
Hard oIigo-mesotrophic 
waters 
22.44 Benthic vegetation 
with Chara formations in 
relation to 53.3 and 53.32 (...) 
22.12 01igo-mesotrophic waters in 
Central Europe and round the 
Alps with amphibious 
vegetation : Littorella and 
Isoetes (22.31) and annual 
vegetation on exposed banks 
(Nanocyperetalia) (22.32) 
Subtype : lowland unooI luted 
mesotrophic lakes 
Hard oIigo-mesotrophic 
waters 
22.44 Benthic vegetation 
with Chara formations in 
relation to 53.3 and 53.32 
22.13 Naturally eutroohlc lakes 22.12 
22.14 Dystrophic laKos 
(...) 
2 -
TEMPERATE HEATH AND SCRUB 
(...) (...) 
31.225 
31.235 
(...) British heaths 
Armor lean. Cotent in and 
western English heaths 
31.238 Anglo-Norman heaths 31.24 Ibero-Atlantlc heaths 
(Erlca-Ulex. Cistus. 
Hallmlum) 
NATURAL AND SEMI-NATURAL GRASSLAND FORMATIONS 
(...) 
34.3 On calcareous substrates 
(Festuco-Brometea) (sites 
of remarkable orchids) 
34.34, 34.35, and 34.36 
(...) (...) 
34.3 
(...) On calcareous substrates 
(Festuco-Brometea) (sites 
of remarkable orchids) 
34.33. 34.34, 34.35, and 
34.36 
RAISED BOGS AND MIRES AND FENS 
(...) 
51.12 Transitional 
Sphagnlon) 
(...) types (Erlco-(...) 
51.12 
54.5 
(...) Transitional types (Erlco-
Sphagnlon) 
Transition mires (Carle ton 
laslocareaai 
ROCKY HABITATS AND CAVES 
(...) 
62.4 
(...) Bare calcareous rocks 
(Ireland, Great-Britain) (...) 
62.4 
(...) Bare calcareous rocks 
(Ireland, Great-Britain, 
France) 
/* 
- 3 
WOODLANDS 
(Sub)natural woodland vegetation 
comprising Indigenous and 
spontaneous species forming forests 
of tall trees, with typical 
undergrowth, and meeting the 
foi lowing criteria ; (Sub)natural woodland vegetation 
compr ising 
spontaneous 
of tall 
undergrowth indigenous and 
species forming forests 
trees, with typical 
- rare and residual LD their 
potential area 
- Containing endemic or threatened 
species 
- important for reasons _o± 
protection 
(...) 
41.53 Old oak woods with holly and 
Blechnum in the British 
Isles 
(...) 
44.17 
44,44 Sallx alba and Populus alba 
gal 1er ies 
Po valley pedunculate oak 
woods and Polygonatum 
(sole example) (...) 
41.53 
42.51 
(...) 
41.9 Old oak woods 
Blechnum in 
Isles 
Caledonian forests wi th hoi I y and 
the British 
Chestnut woods 
42.A1 Cypress woods of Crete 
(Cupressus sempervirens) 
44.17 Sallx alba and Populus alba 
gal 1er les 
44.4 Mixed oak-elm-ash forests 
of great rivers 
44.7. Oriental plane woods (all 
44.8 Southern riparian galleries 
(...) 
42.19 Abies ceohalonlca Planta­
tions (Greece) (Deleted) 
It 
ANNEX VII 
Types of distinct landscape 
features of outstanding local 
Importance to wildlife TvpIcaI landscape features Q1 
importance to wMd flora and fauna 
- Valiev corridors (SPrlnOS and 
exLLs oi underground—rivers. 
streams. reed beds, bodies of 
water) 
- Coastal staging posts (natural inshore reefs. rocky offshore 
islets, coastal cliffs) 
- Bodies of water 
- Fallow land and bush 
- goaded farmland (hedgerows, 
solnnevs. field trees) - Ancient trees, groves and orchards 
- Hedgerow» aM othre land-dividing 
plantations 
- Tree 11nos 
- Grassy terrace slopes 
- Scrub patches 
- Small woodlands 
- Ponds, temporary ponds and waterholes 
- Freshwater and brackish ditches 
- Humid depressions 
- Drv uncultivated hilltops 
- Arable field margins 
- Herbaceous Layer oi orchards and 
plantations 
- Edges of waterways and waterbod les 
- Springs and watercourses 
- Old tunnels and mlneshafts 
- Drowned quarries 
- Salt pans 
- Inshore reefs- Including artificial 
- Yalley corridors 
ANNEX VII Kb) 
(b) that exploitation will be 
properly regulated, monitored 
and annually re-assessed to 
ensure that the population is 
remaining stable or increasing; (b) that exploitation will be property 
regulated, monitored and regularly 
re-assessed to ensure that _a_ 
satisfactory level of conservation 
is being maintained; 
ANNEX VIII (ca), (cb) (new) 
(ca) that exploitation will not have 
damaging effects on 
the habitat of the exploited species 
or on other protected species; 
(cb) that hunting regulations are 
strictly enforced; 
Z2 
- 1 -
COMPETITIVENESS AND EMPLOYMENT IMPACT STATEMENT 
What is the main reason for Introducing the measure ? 
The 8 draft annexes aim to complete the proposal for a 
Council directive on the protection of natural and 
semi-natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora, for 
which the Task Force has already given its approval on 
3/6/88 (note no. 001625). 
II. Features of the businesses in question. In particular: 
(a) Are there many SMEs ? 
The enterprises concerned will be mainly 
agricultural ones, since the directive will deal 
essentially as it appears clearly from annexes IV 
and VII, with conservation of natural habitats in 
predominantly rural areas. 
(b) Are they concentrated in regions which are : 
( i. eligible for regional aid in the Member States ? 
( 
( ii. eligible under the ERDF ? 
The regions most likely to be affected are 
objectives 1 and 5b regions. 
(III.What direct obligations does this measure impose on 
( businesses ? 
( 
(IV. What indirect obligations are local authorities likely 
to Impose on businesses ? 
The direct and indirect obligations will vary according 
to the type of measures to be taken with a view to 
ensuring maintenance or reestablishment of a 
avbourable conservation status for species or habitat 
types specified in annexes I and IV. For agricultural 
enterprises, this will mean avoiding or reducing to a 
minimum the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides and 
herbicides; for crafts or industries, this will mean 
avoiding or limiting their pollution emission and waste 
dumping in the areas concerned. 
V. Are there any special measures in respect of SMEs ? 
Please specify. 
Even though the major part of the industrial fabric in 
the main areas affected by annexes I, IV and VII are 
likely to be composed of SMEs, no special measure is 
foreseen in respect of SMEs. 
VI. What is the likely effect on : 
(a) the competitiveness of businesses ? 
The likely effect of direct or indirect obligations 
following implementation of the directive and its 
annexes on the competitiveness of business will vary 
depending on provisions already taken by the SMEs. It 
is likely to be important in cases where the SMEs are 
allowed to operate according to norms that are less 
strict than those set in Community environmental 
legislation, in particular with regard to emissions in 
the air and water. The SMEs will also be affected, to 
a lesser degree, in cases where the principle laid down 
in the "impact assessment" directive (760/85) 
foreseeing the definition of compensatory measures with 
a view to correcting negative effects on the 
environment of a determined project is applied. 
(b) employment ? 
The measures carried out to implement the directive and 
its annexes could create employment in the following 
fields : 
Agro-tourism, creation and management of natural 
protected areas, promotion of productive and commercial 
businesses. 
VII. Have both sides of industry been consulted ? 
Please indicate their opinions. 
Both sides of industry will be consulted within the 
framework of the Economic and Social Committee. 
In general positive comments (unions, employers). 
Nil. 
ZL 
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