Consultation on EU biodiversity strategy

The European commission launched on Monday a consultation in preparation for a communication due next year on halting the loss of biodiversity by 2010.  Stakeholders have until 6 February to give their views on ten key challenges, such as safeguarding priority sites and species, restoring biodiversity outside protected areas and supporting adaptation to climate change.

The commission is considering creating a "road map to 2010 and beyond" that would set key actions to achieve targets.  Choosing a "business as usual" approach based on implementation of existing policies would not be sufficient, it suggests.  In April global conservation body the IUCN warned that the EU is "way off target" regarding its biodiversity goals (ED 28/04/05 http://www.environmentdaily.com/18694).

The road map would be different from existing policy like the 1998 biodiversity strategy and the action plans that followed, as it would address all EU stakeholders, not just Community-level institutions.

The commission argues that the EU policy framework is "largely in place", but that gaps remain.  A draft of next year's communication that was circulated to stakeholders last month recommends a series of delivery measures.  Among these are to:

* Complete and strengthen coherence of the Natura 2000 protected areas network by 2010, and 2012 for marine sites.

* Implement biodiversity-related measures under the common agriculture and fisheries policies.

* Integrate biodiversity concerns into river basin management planning under the water framework directive.

* Apply an ecosystem approach to the thematic strategy for the marine environment.

* Develop a strategic approach to support biodiversity adaptation to climate change, including the creation of an adaptation taskforce.

* Review the policy framework for the prevention and control of invasive alien species.

* Integrate biodiversity concerns into all new policies that have a potential impact on it.

* Implement the "Flegt" action plan as a way to tackle the impact of trade on biodiversity.

Follow-up: European Commission http://europa.eu.int/comm/index_en.htm, tel: +32 2 299 1111, plus press release http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/05/1569&format=HTML, background document http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/nature/biodiversity/develop_biodiversity_policy/policy_develop_process/pdf/background_webcons.pdf

and consultation page http://europa.eu.int/yourvoice/ipm/forms/dispatch?form=BIODIVERSITY.

Environment Daily is Europe's leading environmental news service. A free trial is available by clicking on the following link: http://www.environmentdaily.com/web/helcom