WRITTEN QUESTION E-1402/03

by Alexander de Roo (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(16 April 2003)

Subject: Network of protected areas under threat in the Netherlands

The survival of almost half the vertebrates and butterflies in the Netherlands will come under threat if current government policy continues. This has emerged from a study carried out by Alterra (Quick Scan policy changes in the Network of protected areas, 18 February 2003) commissioned by the Council for Rural Areas. This was an investigative study into the consequences of government policy for species of animals and plants. This policy involves delaying the introduction of the Network of protected areas (EHS) because of a cut in the purchasing budget. This delay means that there is a less vigorous approach to combating the erosion of the countryside.

The Council for Rural Areas makes similar comments on government policy in its statement of 18 February 2003 entitled Champagne taste on a beer budget.

The Council calls on the national government:

- to continue to accept its responsibility for creating the Network of protected areas in full;

- to ensure that resources are available to achieve the objectives set;

- to create forms of financing to allow these resources to be used so that sustainable funding is available for the countryside now and in the future;

- to use every opportunity to create the Network of protected areas and actively promote the participation of the farming community and private individuals in nature conservation.

Is the European Commission aware of the contents of the above publications?

Does the European Commission share the concern about Netherlands government policy on the Network of protected areas?

Is the European Commission prepared to insist that the Netherlands government complies with its responsibility to implement the Birds and Habitats Directive in full?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(5 June 2003)

As for all other Member States, the Commission is monitoring the implementation of the Council Directive 79/409/EEC of 2 April 1979 on the conservation of wild birds(1) (Birds Directive) and the Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora(2) (Habitats Directive) in the Netherlands. With the designation of 76 Special Protection Areas under the Birds Directive and with 78 proposed Sites of Community Importance under the Habitats Directive, the Netherlands made their first contributions to the Natura 2000 network of protected areas. The communication to the Commission of an additional list of 56 proposed Sites of Community Importance under the Habitats Directive has been announced, as well as the extension of the area of six Special Protection Areas under the Birds Directive. This increase in number and total area of Natura 2000 sites in the Netherlands will represent a substantial contribution to the protection of biodiversity in the Netherlands and the Union.

As far as the transposition of the Habitats Directive into Dutch legislation is concerned, the Commission has decided to refer the Netherlands to the Court of Justice because of shortcomings in Dutch legislation for implementing the Habitats Directive. So far, the existing legislation does not provide adequate safeguards for Natura 2000 sites, it fails to provide adequately for the monitoring of habitats and species and omits measures for certain plant species protected under the Directive. Meanwhile, a proposal for the revision of the Dutch Nature Protection Act of 1998 was submitted to the Dutch Parliament with a view to improving this situation.

The Commission is not aware of the particular publications mentioned by the Honourable Member. However, the Commission will continue to insist that the Netherlands fully comply with the Habitats and Birds Directives.

(1) OJ L 103, 25.4.1979.

(2) OJ L 206, 22.7.1992.