Natura 2000:

Introducing a discussion on the designation

processAlberto Arroyo SchnellWWF International13th April 2007

©WWF-Canon / Chris Martin BAHR

Biogeographic Process

1. Member state send pSCI (NL) -> EC

2. pSCI pre-evaluated by ETC/Paris

3. Results of pre-evaluation sent to all participants

4. Pre-evaluation is basis at seminar

Alberto Arroyo SchnellApril 2007

Biogeographic Seminars I

• 1-4 days of intensive work• Takes place in the biogeographic region

(normally)• Evaluation of National Lists• No discussion on missing or not sites,

areas, boundaries, politics• Only expert opinion is required

Alberto Arroyo SchnellApril 2007

Biogeographic Seminar II

• Decisions about sufficiency of national proposals

• Transparent procedure

Alberto Arroyo SchnellApril 2007

Biogeographic Seminars III

Participants– European Commission– European Topic Centre– Member states– Independent scientists– Land user organisations– Neutral observers– NGOs

Aim of seminar• To clarify methodology and rules of

decisions– > general questions/issues

• To decide, which hab & spec are relevant– > reference list

• To decide, if member state proposal is sufficient or insufficient

– >quantity/quality/coherence of sites

• Ask for (scientific) revision– >more investigations or revision of proposals

Alberto Arroyo SchnellApril 2007

After the seminar• MSs are asked to complete their lists

according to their insufficiencies

• If they are too late or the number of insufficiencies remains too high, the EC could start a infringement procedure

Alberto Arroyo SchnellApril 2007

Sufficiency-IndexMember States

January 2007

Sufficiency-IndexBiogeographic Regions

January 2007

NATURA 2000: Macaronesia - Canary Islands

Some basic needsfor site designation

– Building capacity (institutional, administrative, NGOs…)

– Stakeholder involvement: this will ensure arriving to the process with the EC with “homework” done

– Positive communication: this is a unique opportunity to protect EU values in Bosnia Hercegovina!

– Financing! (IPA, others)

Some examples

Bulgaria: stakeholder involvement

– DANCEE funded project initiates the identification of sites (beneficiaries: 2 NGOs)

– Bulgarian Government decides to continue the project with their own resources (beneficiaries: the same 2 NGOs)

– The project involves relevant stakeholders, including –obviously – scientific institutions

– Result: scientific list of potential Natura 2000 sites(SCIs) ready by the date of accession (November 2006)

Bulgaria: stakeholder involvement

– Last month, the Bulgarian Government decided to send half of the list

– The seminars will take place during this year, together with Romania

– The EC might start an infringement procedure against Bulgaria

Poland: facing problems…

– The Government decides to send a clearly insufficentlist (4,2%): the BGS is almost cancelled

– The BGS is finally hold, and the results are demolishing for PL (over 80% insufficiencies); the EC and ETC have the scientific information to compare

– The EC starts an infringement procedure against PL: most likely in some months PL will be referred to the ECJ (unless there is a new more complete list sent)

Austria: strong NGO work

– NGOs carry out a strong communication campaign

– At the same time, they start to work on a “network of support” (Governments, farmers, EU…)

– The BGSs are carried out with positive clear outcome: EC initiates an infringement procedurebut soon solved

How can we work togetherin Bosnia Hercegovina?

Thank youfor your attention!