EU law review on environment is the most significant threat to human health in recent times, according to 100 British groups. UK environmental groups have reacted strongly to the European Commission’s proposal to examine the costs of the implementation of the Birds and Habitats Directives. A directive is an Act of the European Union. The European Commission launched a 12-week open consultation last week to assess the cost effectiveness of the Directives on birds and habitats and determine whether they should be implemented at the national level. According to the Commission, it will consider ways to reduce red tape and improve effectiveness of current laws. To preserve the EU Directives, more than 100 British environmental organizations have joined the “Joint Links” group. Image: RSPB. The move may significantly weaken EU Directives, according to British animal and environmental protection organizations. They say it is wrong to view the Directives in this way. Colum Delany from the RSPB Northern Ireland was quoted by BBC as saying: “We are going to need to operate from a precautionary principle. We are concerned that the Directives could be weakened, which would make it more vulnerable to biodiversity to meet short-term political priorities. Mr. Delany stated Rathlin Island off County Antrim, the northernmost point in Northern Ireland was an example where current Directives have been successful. He said that the number of razorbills and guillemots has increased, making it a valuable tourism attraction. Europe’s foundation for nature conservation. The EU Habitats Directive is Europe’s foundation. It protects more than 200 species of plants and animals, and over ,000 habitat types. The EU’s oldest piece is the birds Directive. It was established in 1979,. These Directives are the basis of European nature conservation policies. It is possible that these Directives could merge into one piece of legislation. Kate Jennings (chair of the UK campaign), head of the RSPB’s site policy unit said that the Directives on habitats and birds are the cornerstone of European nature conservation and have been scientifically proved to work when properly applied. The Directives have demonstrable benefits to nature as well as substantial social and economic advantages. Ms. Jennings noted that sites protected in the UK had been losing at an average rate of 15% per year before they were put into effect and only 1% since then. The RSPB issued an urgent appeal for help on its website. “We urgently require you to join thousands of other below and defend Nature. It will not be easy to stop the Directives being weakened without a large public demonstration. We need your support to continue our campaign for wildlife and the places that you love. The EU needs modern conservation legislation. However, the EU’s environment department isn’t keen on the review. Officials stressed that they would prefer conservation laws to be modernized, rather than being buried. The Guardian quotes Enrico Brivio as a spokesperson for Karmenu Vella the environment commissioner, saying: “They aren’t broken, but they are quite old.” The 1979, piece is one, and the 1992 is another. “But we don’t intend to reduce our environmental goals. The goal is to decrease administrative burdens while not compromising Directives’ primary purpose.” “Joint Links” represents over 8 million members of voluntary organizations across the UK, according to The Wildlife Trusts. It includes the combined memberships Wildlife and Countryside Link and Scottish Environment Link and Wales Environment Link. Citation: Joint Links Group: Joint Links Statement: European Commission Fitness Check of Birds and Habitats Directives. RSPB Video – Help us Defend Nature Environmental organizations say that they work hard to prove the Directives are effective. But that’s not all. Everyone has the right to speak up, and that is what the Commission wants. The RSPB urges you to join thousands of other people in defending nature and encourages everyone to share this video with others.
