European Community policies relevant for plant conservation in Europe
© European Community, 2005
The European Community is one of the signatory parties of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). As a signatory party, the EC bears part of the responsibility for the full implementation of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation (GSPC), as it has been adopted at the sixth CoP meeting in The Hague, April 2002 (decision VI/9).
The EC submitted its 3rd Report on the implementation of Biodiversity Policies to the CBD in December 2005. The conclusion of the report was that "there has been limited EC action in support of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation." Only four of the 16 GSPC targets have been incorporated into a European regulatory framework (Targets 4, 11, 14 & 16). Other activities have been carried out under some of the other targets. The EC has, however, undertaken little effort to support the implementation of the GSPC through Europe-wide measures or co-ordinate the progress throughout the EU countries.
Below is a list of European policies and instruments relevant from the perspective of plant conservation. Click on the heading for more information.
The two key building blocks of the EU Biodiversity Policy are the Birds and the Habitats Directive.
What is it about?
In May 2006, the EC published its latest Biodiversity Communication ("Halting the loss of biodiversity by 2010 - and beyond" COM(2006) 216). It sets out a plan to tackle the problem of biodiversity loss in Europe by 2010. It includes strategies to face the pressures on European habitats such as habitat fragmentation, degradation and destruction due to land use change or conversion, the intensification of production systems, or the abandonment of traditional (often biodiversity friendly) practices.
Relevance to plants
Plant diversity is under severe pressure in the EU, mainly due to habitat degeneration and destructive policies. The Biodiversity Communication attempts to mainstream biodiversity issues into all EU policies.
Inter-relations
The Biodiversity Communication is a crosscutting issue tackling the loss of biodiversity from different perspectives and throughout all sectors. It is therefore not limited to plant species, although plants form an important building block for all biodiversity.
For more information on the Biodiversity Communication click here.
What is it about?
In 1992, the European Commission adopted the EC Habitats Directive on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora.
Relevance to Plants
The HD is legally binding in all EU member states, and an important part of the acquis communautaire. The main objective of the Habitats Directive is the protection of biodiversity in Europe. Member states are required to take measures to maintain or restore natural habitats and wild species of interest to the community, which should also take account of economic, social and cultural requirements, and regional and local characteristics. If a member state does not meet the requirement set out in the Habitats Directive, it can be taken to the European Court of Justice and given fines for non-compliance. One of the key intentions of the Habitats Directive is the creation and management of a EU-wide ecological network of protected areas called Natura 2000. Europe's Important Plant Areas should be included in this network to ensure appropriate management.
For more information on the EC Habitats Directive click here.
What is it about?
The European Habitats Forum (EHF) is a network of non-governmental organisations working on a European scale to support the creation of the Natura 2000 network, and the correct implementation of the Habitats Directive. It assists the EC and Member States, and points out problems and solutions related to the Birds and Habitats Directive.
Relevance to Plants
Planta Europa is represented in the Forum and advocates the interests of plants. For more information on Planta Europa's involvement in the EHF, please read the article in the Planta Europa Newsletter issue Summer 2005.
Inter-relations
The EHF acts as a watchdog and support mechanism for the biodiversity policy of the EU and holds valuable information on the Natura 2000 network, sites and species and management measures.
For more information on the European Habitats Forum click here.
European Sustainable Development Strategy
What is it about?
The European Sustainable Development Strategy was adopted by the European Commission in June 2006 and outlines a single strategy for the EU to meet the challenges of sustainable development between 2005-2010.
Relevance to Plants
One of its key objectives of the European Sustainable Development Strategy is the protection of the environment. It is especially important because it tackles climate change and the conservation and management of natural resources. It therefore combines key issues related to the loss of plant diversity in Europe.
Inter-relations
The European Sustainable Development Strategy is a cross cutting strategy, combining economical growth, social interactions and environmental protection to create sound development mechanisms for the EU.
For more information on the European Sustainable Development Strategy click here.
What is it about?
The EU Forestry Action Plan was adopted in June 2006. It sets out targets to develop forestry activities in the EU in a competitive and sustainable manner.
Relevance to Plants
Forestry is a key threat to plant diversity in Europe. The EU Forestry Action Plan provides a framework for good practice for forest-related activities in Europe. The main objective of the Forestry Strategy is to support and enhance sustainable forest management in Europe. Unsustainable forestry management has been demonstrated to be the single most significant threat to IPA in Central and Eastern Europe.
Inter-relations
Forestry policies and biodiversity policies need to work together more closely to ensure sound management of forests in Europe.
For more information on the Forestry Strategy click here.
What is it about?
The Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) began operating in 1962 and was originally developed to intervene buying farm output when the market price fell bellow an agreed level. In 1990 and 2003 the CAP was reformed. Especially the later reform intended to decouple subsidies from production levels and link them to other services such as food safety, animal welfare, and environmental standards.
Relevance to Plants
Agriculture is a key threat to plant diversity in Europe. According to a recent study by the Institute for European Environmental Policy (IEEP), the reforms of the CAP regulations achieved significant changes, with more emphasis being put on environmentally sound farming versus mass production through the EU farm support framework. Nevertheless, IEEP states that agri-environmental practices have to go beyond good farming practices. One key concern is that agri-environment payments are not available to all farmers. The IEEP has published a valuable article on the interface of EU Nature Conservation Policy and the CAP.
For more information on the Common Agriculture Policy click here.
What is it about?
The Rural Development policy is a mechanism of the European Union and is known as the "second pillar" of the CAP, and has objectives to support the implementation of the CAP reforms, accompany and complement further reform, and to deliver goods such as the Natura 2000. It was established in 1999 and is managed through the Rural Development regulation. According to the EC, it sets out a strategic approach and a range of options which member states could use in their national strategy plans and Rural Development programmes.
Relevance to Plants
The relevance of the Rural Development policy is the aim to implement and reform the CAP to incorporate agro-environmental practices. The second CAP pillar holds the potential to support biodiversity throughout Europe.
Inter-relations
The Rural Development policy is responsible for the implementation and the development of further reforms of the CAP, as well as responsible to deliver goods such as the Natura 2000.
For more information on the Rural Development Policy click here.
What is it about?
Water is essential to life. Our very existence and economic activities are totally dependent upon this precious resource. Water as a limited resource and subject to conflicting interests is thought to become more and more relevant in future decades. Key elements of the Water Framework Directive are the protection of all waters, including rivers and lakes, and the requirement of cross-border co-operation between countries and all involved parties.
Relevance to Plants
Many key habitats, and its flora, are dependent on the level and quality of the water. Among them are riversides, lakes and ponds, bogs and wet meadows. It is therefore crucial to link biodiversity policies to water policies as closely as possible to avoid conflicts between them.
For more information on the Water Framework Directive click here.
More information on the wider context of plant conservation in Europe
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