Cyprus Mail 13 March 2024
The European Commission decided today to refer Cyprus to the Court of Justice of the European Union for failing to comply with the Habitats Directive (Directive 92/43/EEC).
Under the Habitats Directive, Cyprus has officially designated 37 sites as special areas of conservation, but has not yet adopted the necessary conservation measures for 28 of them. In addition, the conservation objectives for 5 sites are not sufficient, meaning that species and habitats on these sites are not properly protected.
The Commission sent Cyprus a letter of formal notice in June 2021, followed by a reasoned opinion in April 2022. Despite progress in designating sites as special areas of conservation, the Cypriot authorities have not fully addressed the complaints. The Commission considers that the efforts made so far by the Cypriot authorities are insufficient and is therefore referring Cyprus to the Court of Justice of the European Union.
The Habitats Directive is an important instrument of European legislation to protect biodiversity. It provides for the establishment of Natura 2000, a pan-European network of protected natural areas consisting of Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and Special Protection Areas (SPAs) for birds under the Birds Directive (Directive 2009/147/EC).
Each Member State shall identify and propose sites which are important for the conservation of naturally occurring species and habitats on its territory. The Commission then approves them as Sites of Community Importance (SCI). Member States then have up to six years to designate them as SACs and establish the necessary site-specific conservation objectives, as well as measures to conserve or restore the species and habitats present on those sites. Protecting and restoring biodiversity in line with the Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 is one of the objectives of the European Green Deal.
The Commission has launched infringement procedures against 16 Member States concerning the establishment of SACs and the establishment of conservation objectives and measures.
