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