The Commission is sending Cyprus to the ECJ for insufficient protection of Natura 2000 areas

The European Commission refers Cyprus to the Court of Justice of the European Union for failing to take the necessary measures for the protection and management of Natura 2000 areas, following infringement proceedings INFR(2021)2064 concerning Cyprus' non-compliance with the directive on habitats (Directive 92/43/EEC).

Cyprus has officially designated 37 areas as special conservation zones, based on the relevant directive, however it has not yet established the necessary conservation measures for 28 of them.

Also, the Commission considers that the conservation objectives for five areas are not sufficient, which means that the species and habitats in these areas are not properly protected.

The Commission had sent a warning letter to Cyprus in June 2021 starting the infringement procedure. In April 2022, the Commission had sent a reasoned opinion, the second stage of the process as the country had not yet complied.

As noted, despite the progress achieved in terms of the designation of areas as special conservation zones, the Cypriot authorities have not fully addressed the violations of the Directive.

The Commission considers that the efforts made so far by the Cypriot authorities are insufficient and, for this reason, refers Cyprus to the Court of Justice of the European Union, it added.

The Habitats Directive provides for the establishment of the Natura 2000 network, which is a pan-European network of protected natural areas consisting of Special Conservation Areas (SACs) and Special Protection Areas (SPAs) for birds under the Birds Directive (Directive 2009/147/EC).

Each Member State has the responsibility to identify and propose sites that are important for the conservation of species and habitats in its territory. Then, based on the procedure provided for, the Commission approves these areas as sites of Community Importance (SCI).

Member States have six years to designate these areas as EEZs and establish the necessary site-specific conservation objectives, as well as measures to conserve or restore species and habitats.

The Commission has opened infringement proceedings against 16 Member States regarding the setting of EEZs and the establishment of conservation targets and measures.

Source: KYPE