Stress test of the Birds and Habitats Directives

5,000 submissions in the snapshot (891 from organisations), portal total 8,518. sample: the earliest 5,000 of 8,518 by date Feedback list on the portal.

99 of 891 organisation submissions analysed; the model reads them as: opposes 6 supports 14 wants changes 69 10 held back for review (low confidence). 792 without readable text, so not analysed.

• Schutzstation Wattenmeer e.V. Environmental organisation, DEU model reads as: supports source
  • Do not legally weaken the directives; instead address the existing implementation deficit through improved enforcement.

    Um diese Erfolgsgeschichte weiterzuführen, bedarf es keiner rechtlichen Aufweichungen. Die eigentliche Aufgabe besteht darin, das bestehende Vollzugsdefizit zu beheben.

  • Focus on adequate financing, strategic planning, and consistent application of the existing legal framework to achieve the full potential of European nature protection.

    Der Fokus sollte darauf liegen, durch ausreichende Finanzierung, strategische Raumplanung und konsequente Anwendung des bestehenden Rechtsrahmens das volle Potenzial des europäischen Naturschutzes in der Praxis auszuschöpfen.

  • Do not question the relevance or protection status of the EU nature protection directives.

    Es gibt keinerlei objektive Gründe, die Relevanz oder den Schutzstatus dieser Richtlinien infrage zu stellen.

• Micro company, BEL Business association, BEL model reads as: wants changes source
  • Amend the Birds Directive to allow derogations on grounds of overriding public interest, as permitted under the Habitats Directive.

    The Bird Directive should be therefore amended to allow, in line with the Habitats Directive, derogations to be granted on the grounds of overriding public interest, in addition to the existing grounds of public health and public safety.

  • Harmonize practices and interpretations between Member States and within Belgian regions regarding derogations and species protection requirements.

    Harmonizing practices between Member States and within Belgian regions;

  • Streamline the process for issuing opinions on derogations under the Nature Conservation Law.

    Streamlining the process for issuing opinions on derogations under the Nature Conservation Law (LCN = Belgian transposition of the Directives);

• Stockholms stad Public authority, SWE model reads as: supports source
  • The Directives should maintain their current protection level and not expand exemptions that could undermine their purpose.

    Direktiven bör bibehålla sin nuvarande skyddsnivå. En utvidgning av undantagen riskerar att underminera direktivens syfte och leda till ökad rättsosäkerhet och fler rättstvister, vilket i sig är kostsamt.

  • EU definitions should be clarified with stricter assessment scope and place-specific conservation objectives to strengthen application and predictability for local authorities.

    EU definitioner bör förtydligas och därigenom stärka direktivens tillämpning. Ett striktare bedömningsutrymme med tydligare definitioner och platsspecifika bevarandemål skulle minska behovet av vägledande domar och göra genomförandet mer förutsägbart för lokala myndigheter.

  • Local and regional implementation should receive better technical and financial support, including capacity building and species and habitat data monitoring.

    Det lokala och regionala genomförandet bör ges bättre tekniskt och finansiellt stöd i form av kapacitet, vägledning och uppföljning på data om arter och livsmiljöer även på lokal nivå genom exempelvis stöd till miljöövervakning.

• Ghent University Academic or research institution, BEL model reads as: supports source
  • Do not weaken or lower the protection level of the Birds and Habitats Directives, as this contradicts EU fundamental principles.

    Any revision of the Nature Directives intended to or having the practical effect of lowering the level of protection is in contradiction with the non-regression principle and the net gain principle.

  • Focus on improving implementation of the Nature Directives rather than reassessing their relevance or design.

    The Nature Directives face an implementation deficit, and consequently, they are necessary more than ever.

  • Reject the stress test's underlying assumptions that nature conservation hinders competitiveness and is not cost-effective.

    The stress test is based on the wrong assumptions that nature conservation hinders competitiveness and is not cost-effective.

• Micro company, EST Environmental organisation, EST model reads as: wants changes source
  • Implement comprehensive "Safe Harbor" mechanisms to ensure legal certainty for land managers and prevent economic incentives to avoid hosting protected species.

    The absence of comprehensive "Safe Harbor" mechanisms penalizes proactive land stewardship, unintentionally creating economic incentives for landowners to avoid hosting protected species.

  • Recognize regional ecological realities by tailoring conservation approaches to specific bioregions rather than applying universal models across fundamentally different ecosystems.

    A critical challenge in the current EU environmental framework is the application of universal models across fundamentally different bioregions. It is essential to explicitly highlight the distinct ecological dynamics of permanent forests in Estonia (the Boreal region) compared to forests elsewhere in Europe.

  • Require formal administrative procedures and socio-economic impact assessments for environmental data entry instead of classifying unverified data as "technical administrative acts".

    We observe a growing trend where unverified environmental data (such as anonymous citizen science observations) is entered into national databases (e.g., EELIS in Estonia) as mere "technical administrative acts". This classification allows authorities to bypass formal administrative decisions and socio-economic impact assessments, triggering immediate and sweeping restrictions on private land without affording the landowner their procedural right to be heard.

• NOAH - for dyrs rettigheter (NOAH - for Animal Rights) NGO, NOR model reads as: supports source
  • Focus efforts on strengthening implementation rather than reducing the legal protections of the Directives.

    For this reason, efforts to improve the Directives should focus on strengthening implementation rather than reducing legal protections.

  • Increase financial support, scientific data, administrative capacity, and ensure consistent implementation across Member States.

    Increasing financial support, improving scientific data, strengthening the capacity of competent authorities, promoting early biodiversity-sensitive planning, and ensuring consistent implementation across Member States would deliver greater benefits for biodiversity than weakening the existing legal framework.

  • Maintain strong and coherent European nature legislation to serve as an international benchmark for conservation.

    Strong and coherent European nature legislation therefore benefits biodiversity far beyond the EU itself and sets an important international benchmark for nature conservation.

• Micro company, BEL Business association, BEL model reads as: wants changes source
  • Assess renewable energy projects against the existing electricity production mix rather than a hypothetical scenario without electricity production.

    Voor de toepassing van RED III-gerelateerde aspecten moet de beoordeling daarom niet vertrekken vanuit een hypothetische situatie zonder elektriciteitsproductie, maar vanuit de bestaande productiemix die het project vervangt (of vanuit de minst schadelijke uitbreidingen van de productiecapaciteit, gezien de toenemende elektrificatie).

  • Apply the precautionary principle by considering the biodiversity impact of not acting, including continued fossil fuel electricity production.

    Het effect van niet-handelen, met name dat de elektriciteitsproductie dan dikwijls met een hogere LCA impact op biodiversiteit geproduceerd zal worden, wordt daarbij niet overweging gebracht.

  • Establish regulations that focus on ecologically relevant species, with explicit definition of policy-relevant species for wind energy projects.

    De regelgeving moet toelaten dat onderzoeken zich prioritair op deze kritieke factoren richten, met een expliciete afbakening van soorten die beleidsmatig relevant zijn binnen het toepassingsgebied van windenergieprojecten.

• Deutscher Angelfischerverband e.V. (DAFV) NGO, DEU; register: Non-governmental organisations, platforms and networks and similar model reads as: wants changes source
  • Ensure bird protection does not automatically take priority over protection of endangered fish species and aquatic habitats.

    Der Schutz von Vögeln darf nicht automatisch höher gewichtet werden als der Schutz bedrohter Fischarten und aquatischer Lebensräume.

  • Develop a Europe-wide coordinated cormorant management approach to address transboundary predation impacts on fish populations.

    Der DAFV befürwortet die Entwicklung eines europaweit koordinierten Kormoranmanagements.

  • Enable necessary management measures in bird-fish protection conflicts to be implemented more quickly and with legal certainty.

    Gleichzeitig muss gewährleistet werden, dass notwendige Managementmaßnahmen bei Konflikten zwischen Vogel- und Fischschutz schneller und rechtssicher umgesetzt werden können.

• France Nature Environnement NGO, FRA; register: Non-governmental organisations, platforms and networks and similar model reads as: supports source
  • Exclude revision and modification of the directives, but instead strengthen their full and ambitious implementation with adequate financial and human resources.

    Leur révision et leur modification doivent être exclues. Par contre, c'est leur mise en œuvre complète et ambitieuse qui doit être renforcée, avec des moyens financiers et humains à la hauteur des enjeux.

  • Increase favorable financing for nature protection and eliminate financing that is unfavorable to nature conservation.

    Le nœud majeur : augmenter les financements favorables, supprimer ceux qui sont défavorables

  • Maintain the directives as effective and necessary instruments for nature protection in Europe and ensure they are not weakened.

    FNE considère la DO et la DHFF comme le socle juridique de la protection de la nature en Europe. Ces 2 directives sont efficaces, nécessaires. Elles ne doivent pas être affaiblies.

• Micro company, DNK NGO, DNK model reads as: opposes source
  • The Commission should assess whether Denmark violated Habitat Directive Article 6(3) by failing to conduct proper Appropriate Assessments before implementing changes to nature management in protected areas.

    EU-kommissionen anmodes om at vurdere, hvorvidt den danske stat ved miljøministeriet har handlet i strid med Habitat-direktivets artikel 6, stk. 3 ved at afstå fra konsekvensvurdering af de omfattende ændringer af driften af den beskyttede natur i naturnationalparker og urørt skov på statens arealer samt de seneste ændringer i Natura 2000 - områdeplanerne.

  • Nature national park designations and management plans affecting Natura 2000 areas cannot be lawfully implemented without prior Appropriate Assessment under the Habitats Directive.

    Derfor har vi ikke været i tvivl om, at de konkrete udpegninger, projekt- og forvaltningsplaner for naturnationalparker, der omfatter specifikke Natura 2000 områder, ikke kunne gennemføres uden en forudgående konsekvensvurdering efter Habitatdirektivet.

  • The Danish authorities cannot demonstrate without reasonable doubt that the new nature management methods will not damage the Natura 2000 designation basis.

    Det har simpelthen ikke været muligt for Naturstyrelsen eller Miljøstyrelsen på det foreliggende grundlag at kunne påvise, uden nogen rimelig tvivl, at de ændrede forvaltningsmetoder ikke skader udpegningsgrundlaget for Natura 2000-områderne.

• Ministerium für Landwirtschaft und Verbraucherschutz Nordrhein-Westfalen Public authority, DEU model reads as: wants changes source
• Virya Energy Company, BEL model reads as: wants changes source
  • Environmental impact assessments for renewable energy projects of overriding public interest must use the current fossil fuel energy mix as the baseline comparison rather than no activity.

    Het moet verplicht worden dat bij projecten van Overwegend Algemeen Belang (conform RED) de nuloptie in de MER niet 'geen activiteit' is, maar de vervanging van de huidige manier van elektriciteitsproductie (veelal de bestaande fossiele/grijze energiemix) door het nieuwe windproject.

  • Environmental regulations should prioritize research on birds and bats as the most critical ecological factors for wind energy projects and explicitly focus on policy-relevant species.

    Voor windenergieprojecten zijn vogels en vleermuizen de belangrijkste ecologische aandachtspunten. De regelgeving moet toelaten dat onderzoeken zich prioritair op deze kritieke factoren richten, met een expliciete afbakening van soorten die beleidsmatig relevant zijn binnen het toepassingsgebied van windenergieprojecten.

• European Council of Young Farmers (CEJA) NGO, BEL; register: Non-governmental organisations, platforms and networks and similar model reads as: wants changes source
  • Establish clearer, more objective criteria in the Habitats Directive to reduce discretion and uncertainty in permit decisions for farm infrastructure investments.

    The ambiguity and lack of clearness of the meaning leaves excessive room for manoeuvre to the national authorities to decide, without pre-determined, objective criteria (Article 6, Non-deterioration principle; Article 12, Protection of Species).

  • Assess whether less stringent environmental objectives could apply to agricultural projects in Water Framework Directive protected areas to balance environmental and socioeconomic needs.

    It should be assessed whether less stringent objectives could be applied for agricultural projects, which would respond to the environmental and socioeconomic needs of the respective farm businesses.

  • Revise the Nitrates Directive definition of livestock manure to enable the use of RENURE (recycled nutrients from wastewater) and upgrade by-products from livestock production.

    In the Nitrates Directive, the definition of livestock manure limits the use of RENURE, since processed livestock manure is considered as organic fertiliser.

• BOKU University Academic or research institution, AUT model reads as: wants changes source
  • Add the carrion crow to the Annex table section of the Directive for Austria to enable application of Article 7(3) for regular hunting management.

    Die Jägerschaft fordert die Aufnahme der Aaskrähe in den Tabellenteil des Anhanges zur Richtlinie für Österreich, sodass zukünftig Artikel 7. (3) angewendet werden kann.

  • Reduce administrative burden in the fitness check context for hunting management.

    Den Verwaltungsaufwand in Sinne des Fitnesschecks zu reduzieren, ist eine langjährige Forderung der Jagdverbände

  • Manage the carrion crow population in Austria under regular hunting and closed seasons rather than under damage prevention provisions.

    Aus Sicht der Jägerschaft ist die Aaskrähe daher in Österreich nicht mehr schutznotwendig und soll fortan auch in Österreich mit einer regulären Schuss- und Schonzeit nach Art. 7. der Richtlinie in ihrem Bestand gemanagt und monitort werden.

• Nordic Family Forestry Alliance (NSF) Other, BEL; register: Trade and business associations model reads as: wants changes source
  • Require prohibitions and assessment requirements to be triggered mainly where there is demonstrable risk of negative impact on conservation status, differentiated by species, region, activity and risk level.

    Prohibitions and assessment requirements should be triggered mainly where there is a demonstrable risk of negative impact on conservation status, with requirements differentiated by species, region, activity and risk level.

  • Provide clearer interpretation of key concepts such as disturbance, deliberateness, breeding and resting sites, and continuous ecological functionality.

    Key concepts such as disturbance, deliberateness, breeding and resting sites, continuous ecological functionality and sufficient investigation requirements need clearer interpretation.

  • Establish that landowners should not be required to prove absence of possible impacts, and require authorities to demonstrate that legal conditions are met when imposing restrictions.

    Landowners should not be expected to prove the absence of any possible impact; where restrictions are imposed, authorities should demonstrate that the legal conditions are met.

• Ligue pour la Protection (LPO / BirdLife France) NGO, FRA model reads as: opposes source
  • The stress test procedure should be abandoned as it is unnecessary given recent assessments confirming the directives' effectiveness.

    Compte tenu de ce bilan relativement récent et sans ambiguïté, nous considérons que la procédure de Stress test en cours n'est pas nécessaire.

  • All harmful subsidies should be eliminated and financing tools for nature protection should be strengthened in the next EU multiannual financial framework.

    La suppression de toutes les subventions néfastes et le renforcement des outils de financement de la protection de la nature sont des enjeux majeurs pour le prochain Cadre financier pluriannuel de l'UE

  • The EU should commit 10% of spending to nature protection and restore an autonomous LIFE Fund under direct EU Commission management with dedicated budget and programming.

    la LPO recommande d'inscrire un objectif de 10 % des dépenses de l'UE dédiées à la protection de la nature, et de rétablir un Fonds LIFE autonome, en gestion directe par la Commission UE, doté d'une enveloppe et d'une programmation dédiées.

• NÖ Landesjagdverband Environmental organisation, AUT model reads as: wants changes source
  • Add the Carrion Crow (Aaskrähe) to Austria's hunting annex so Article 7(3) can be applied for regular hunting management instead of Article 9(1)a3 exceptions.

    Die Jägerschaft fordert die Aufnahme der Aaskrähe in den Tabellenteil des Anhanges zur Richtlinie für Österreich, sodass zukünftig Artikel 7. (3) angewendet werden kann.

  • Classify the Aaskrähe as no longer requiring protection in Austria and manage it with regular hunting seasons and monitoring under Article 7.

    Aus Sicht der Jägerschaft ist die Aaskrähe daher in Österreich nicht mehr schutznotwendig und soll fortan auch in Österreich mit einer regulären Schuss- und Schonzeit nach Art. 7. der Richtlinie in ihrem Bestand gemanagt und monitort werden.

  • Reduce administrative burden in the implementation of the directives' hunting provisions.

    Den Verwaltungsaufwand in Sinne des Fitnesschecks zu reduzieren, ist eine langjährige Forderung der Jagdverbände und wird dieser Versuch im Lichte des Faktums, dass die Vogelschutzrichtlinie die Bejagung als nachhaltige Nutzungsform anerkennt wie folgt unterstützt

• Bauernverband MV Business association, DEU model reads as: wants changes source
  • Align the Directives to the actual conservation status of populations and enable more flexible, regionally adapted management.

    Die Richtlinien sollten daher stärker am tatsächlichen Erhaltungszustand der Populationen ausgerichtet werden und ein flexibleres, regional angepasstes Management ermöglichen.

  • Exempt ordinary agricultural management practices within good professional practice from project-based assessments and approval requirements.

    Die ordnungsgemäße landwirtschaftliche Nutzung im Rahmen der guten fachlichen Praxis darf jedoch grundsätzlich nicht als genehmigungspflichtiges Projekt angesehen werden.

  • Establish clear, Europe-wide uniform regulations with mandatory processing deadlines, digital standardized approval procedures, and better coordination between authorities.

    Erforderlich sind klare und europaweit möglichst einheitliche Regelungen, verbindliche Bearbeitungsfristen, digitale und standardisierte Genehmigungsverfahren sowie eine bessere Koordinierung der zuständigen Behörden.

• Micro company, DNK Environmental organisation, DNK model reads as: wants changes source
  • All nature projects must have a traceable documentation chain that can be verified.

    Alle naturprojekter skal have en sporbar dokumentationskæde, der kan efterprøves.

  • Negative findings must be conducted and published, even when authorities assess that a project improves nature overall.

    Negative findings skal foretages og offentliggøres, også når myndighederne vurderer, at et projekt samlet set "forbedrer naturen".

  • Denmark must establish an independent body to ensure quality control of nature projects and impact assessments.

    Danmark skal etablere en uafhængig instans, der kvalitetssikrer naturprojekter og konsekvensvurderinger.

• UNION DE SELVICULTORES DEL SUR DE EUROPA Other, ESP; register: Non-governmental organisations, platforms and networks and similar model reads as: wants changes source
  • Consult with and obtain prior agreement from private forest owners before designating Natura 2000 areas on their land and imposing restrictions.

    Implementation without owners: SCIs - later SACs - were designated on private land without consulting owners or compensating them for the restrictions, turning them against the network rather than engaging them.

  • Provide direct compensation to private owners who bear the cost of conservation restrictions under the Directives.

    Absence of compensation: private owners bear almost the entire cost of conservation; in practice the restrictions are so severe that it is nearly impossible for owners to access the compensation foreseen in some EU funds.

  • Develop site-specific management plans tailored to each protected site rather than using generic management documents.

    Inadequate management documents: the Master Plan contains generic instructions for 59 different SACs; Natura 2000 is 'managed' with a document that breaches Article 6(1) of the Habitats Directive. The lack of site-specific plans per SAC was one of the reasons for the Commission's rejection.

• Jagd Österreich. Jagd Österreich ist die Interessensvertretung der 136.000 Jägerinnen und Jäger in Österreich NGO, AUT model reads as: wants changes source
  • Add the Carrion Crow to Austria's hunting species table in the Directive's Annex to allow Article 7(3) application.

    Jagd Österreich fordert die Aufnahme der Aaskrähe in den Tabellenteil des Anhanges zur Richtlinie für Österreich, sodass zukünftig Artikel 7. (3) angewendet werden kann.

  • Manage the Carrion Crow population with regular hunting seasons under Article 7 of the Directive.

    Aus Sicht von Jagd Österreich ist die Aaskrähe daher in Österreich nicht mehr schutznotwendig und soll fortan auch in Österreich mit einer regulären Schuss- und Schonzeit nach Art. 7. der Richtlinie in ihrem Bestand gemanagt und monitort werden.

  • Reduce administrative burden in the fitness check process for hunting management.

    Den Verwaltungsaufwand in Sinne des Fitnesschecks zu reduzieren, ist eine langjährige Forderung der Jagdverbände

• Koninklijke Bouwend Nederland Business association, NLD; register: Trade and business associations model reads as: wants changes source
  • Establish clear criteria and thresholds to define what constitutes significant effects on Natura 2000 areas, similar to those in the Environmental Impact Assessment Directive.

    A comparable system, which clarifies when effects could be significant, might also aid the Habitat Directive and help prevent unnecessary administrative burdens for projects that are small and have only temporary and minor emissions.

  • Provide EU-wide clarification on the interpretation of the additionality requirement to prevent overly strict national implementations that discourage beneficial environmental improvements.

    Following the previous point, we think guidance/clarification on the matter of the additionality requirement is necessary.

  • Allow projects that support long-term Habitats Directive goals to receive permits even if they produce temporary negative environmental effects during construction.

    From our perspective, projects that help achieve the long term goals of the Habitats Directive but might have a negative short-term impact should be permitted.

• Elia Group SA/NV Company, BEL; register: Companies & groups model reads as: wants changes source
  • Introduce a risk-based approach that distinguishes between threatened species and ubiquitous or non-endangered species with differentiated protection levels.

    Introduce a more risk-based approach to species protecƟon by disƟnguishing between threatened species and ubiquitous or demonstrably non-endangered species. Regular reviews of species status should support adapƟve protecƟon measures, ensuring efforts are concentrated on species requiring conservaƟon acƟon.

• europêche Business association, BEL; register: Trade and business associations model reads as: wants changes source
  • MPAs should be managed case-by-case using science-based evidence with tailored measures rather than automatic gear bans.

    MPAs should be managed on a case-by-case basis, using the best available scientific evidence and incorporate tailored measures rather than automatic gear bans.

  • Fishers should be recognized as key contributors to marine conservation through identification, management, monitoring of MPAs, and data collection.

    Fishers are key in marine conservation, contributing to the identification, management and monitoring of MPAs, scientific data collection and the development of adaptive management measures.

  • The EU should accelerate recognition of Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECMs) that acknowledge fisheries management's contribution to biodiversity conservation.

    The EU should accelerate the recognition of Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECMs), acknowledging the contribution of fisheries management to biodiversity conservation.

• Fundacja WWF Polska NGO, POL; register: Non-governmental organisations, platforms and networks and similar model reads as: supports source
  • Increase investment and ensure full implementation of the Habitats and Birds Directives.

    Potrzebujemy te inwestycje zwiększyć, w tym zająć się pełnym wdrożeniem dyrektyw siedliskowej i ptasiej.

  • Include costs of nature degradation in decision-making processes and cost-benefit analyses.

    decydenci polityczni oraz instytucje finansowe powinny w pełni uwzględniać koszty degradacji przyrody w swoich procesach decyzyjnych.

  • Recognize that proper administration for nature protection is necessary and not a regulatory burden.

    Odpowiednia administracja to nie obciążenie, jest niezbędna dla funkcjonowania państwa prawa, w tym skutecznej ochrony przyrody.

• Danish Chamber of Commerce Business association, DNK model reads as: wants changes source
  • Clarify Article 6(4) so that 'imperative reasons of overriding public interest' expressly cover green transition, energy supply, climate adaptation, critical infrastructure and strategically important production.

    Article 6(4) should be clarified so that "imperative reasons of overriding public interest" expressly cover clearly defined areas such as the green transition, energy supply, climate adaptation, critical infrastructure and strategically important production.

• Irish Farmers Association NGO, IRL model reads as: wants changes source
  • Introduce a statutory right to fair and timely compensation for demonstrable economic losses arising from Natura 2000 restrictions.

    Introduce a statutory right to fair and timely compensation for demonstrable economic losses arising directly from restrictions imposed under the Directives, including recurring management costs, additional compliance costs, foregone investment opportunities, land devaluation and loss of income.

  • Clarify the definition of plan and project under Article 6(3) to prevent disproportionate assessment of routine farming activities.

    Clarify the definition of plan and project under Article 6(3) to ensure that routine farming activities are not subject to disproportionate assessment requirements where there is no reasonable evidence of likely significant effects on Natura 2000 sites.

  • Introduce a proportionate, tiered approach to Article 6(4) aligned with environmental risk.

    Introduce a proportionate, tiered approach to Article 6(4) so that regulatory requirements are aligned with the environmental risk posed by proposed projects.

• Fundacion Global Nature NGO, ESP; register: Other organisations, public or mixed entities model reads as: supports source
  • Do not weaken the Birds and Habitats Directives, but instead identify and scale up best practices.

    We therefore urge the Commission not to weaken the Directives, but to identify and scale up the kind of best practices documented here.

  • Address gaps in implementation, funding and enforcement rather than changing the legal framework.

    Where progress is slow, the cause is not the legal text but gaps in implementation, funding and enforcement.

  • Recognize that the Directives remain fit for purpose and deliver measurable ecological and socio-economic benefits within their existing legal framework.

    These experiences show that the Birds and Habitats Directives (BHD) remain fit for purpose and deliver measurable ecological and socio-economic benefits within their existing legal framework.

• Micro company, FRA Business association, FRA model reads as: wants changes source
  • Create a mechanism exempting routine forestry works from the prohibitions laid down by the Birds and Habitats Directives.

    It recommends the creation of a mechanism exempting routine forestry works from the prohibitions laid down by the Birds and Habitats Directives (see the proposal in the Appendix).

  • Apply the exemption to routine forestry works carried out in forests covered by a plan providing guarantees of sustainable management.

    To all routine forestry works carried out in woods and forests covered by a plan providing guarantees of sustainable management.

  • Establish an exhaustively listed set of routine management works and forestry categories eligible for exemption from species protection prohibitions.

    To certain routine management works and certain categories of forestry works, exhaustively listed (harvesting, silvicultural operations, forest access roads, etc.).

• BirdWatch Ireland Environmental organisation, IRL; register: Non-governmental organisations, platforms and networks and similar model reads as: wants changes source
  • Government should issue a policy statement directing alignment of sectoral policies with environment policy and legislation.

    In the first instance, we would like government to issue a policy statement which directs alignment of sectoral policies with environment policy and legislation- too often they are at loggerheads.

  • Increase staffing of NPWS head office to provide guidance, advice, research outputs and participate in meetings.

    More staffing of NPWS in their head office so that they can provide guidance, advice, research outputs and can participate in the wide range of meetings where advice is necessary.

  • Government needs to develop an ambitious national nature restoration plan and to fund it.

    Government needs to develop an ambitious national nature restoration plan and to fund it.

• Micro company, IRL NGO, IRL model reads as: supports source
  • The stress test should focus on identifying best practices for efficient implementation within the existing legal framework rather than revisiting core legal protections.

    The stress test should focus on identifying best practices for efficient and effective implementation within the existing legal framework, rather than revisiting the core legal protections established by the Directives.

  • The Commission should prioritize strengthening enforcement, increasing investment in implementation and monitoring, and improving administrative capacity across Member States.

    Priorities should include strengthening enforcement, increasing investment in implementation and monitoring, improving technical guidance and administrative capacity, enhancing policy coherence across EU sectoral policy, and supporting more consistent implementation across Member States.

  • Any simplification efforts should maintain legal certainty and not reduce the level of environmental protection established under the Birds and Habitats Directives.

    It should not weaken legal certainty or reduce the level of environmental protection established under the Birds and Habitats Directives.

• Micro company, IRL NGO, IRL model reads as: wants changes source
  • The Directives should not be reopened or weakened.

    Do not reopen or weaken the Directives. The 2016 Fitness Check found the Nature Directives fit for purpose, while identifying a need for substantial improvements in implementation. Current freshwater evidence reinforces that conclusion: the problem is not excessive legal protection but failure to deliver it consistently.

  • Administrative simplification should be pursued while maintaining ecological safeguards intact.

    Simplify administration, not ecological safeguards. Administrative delay is best reduced through early ecological scoping, accessible baseline data, clear conservation objectives, standard methods, competent authorities and coordinated decision-making.

  • Article 6 assessments must address cumulative impacts at the catchment scale including hydrological connectivity and ecological flows.

    Apply Article 6 at the scale at which freshwater impacts occur. Appropriate Assessment must address hydrological connectivity, ecological flows, sediment and nutrient pathways, barriers, groundwater dependence and cumulative effects across the whole relevant catchment.

• LBV - Landesbund für Vogel- und Naturschutz Environmental organisation, DEU model reads as: supports source
  • The stress test must not result in weakening the Birds and Habitats Directives.

    Der laufende Stresstest darf nicht zu einer Schwächung der Richtlinien führen.

  • Address the real challenges of implementation, financing and enforcement rather than changing the legal framework.

    Die eigentlichen Herausforderungen liegen bei Umsetzung, Finanzierung und Vollzug - nicht im Rechtsrahmen selbst.

  • Recognize that nature conservation delivers multiple societal benefits including recreation and flood protection alongside biodiversity protection.

    Naturschutz nützt den Menschen mehrfach: Große Schutzgebiete wie das Ampertal sind zugleich die beliebtesten Erholungsräume der Bevölkerung. Die Renaturierung der Isar zeigt dasselbe Prinzip: Naturschutz, Hochwasserschutz und Erholungswert gehen Hand in Hand.

• Humane World for Animals Europe NGO, BEL; register: Non-governmental organisations, platforms and networks and similar model reads as: supports source
  • The directives remain fit for purpose and strong legal protection for wildlife should be preserved.

    the Directives remain fit for purpose, animal welfare is inseparable from effective nature protection, the economic case for preserving strong legal protection is unambiguous

  • The stress test should evaluate implementation gaps rather than serve as a basis for revising the directives.

    This evidence illustrates that the stress test should be read as a check on implementation, not on the Directives themselves.

  • Animal welfare must be recognized as a distinct value and lethal derogations should only be deployed as a last resort after non-lethal alternatives.

    We ask the Commission to recognise animal welfare as a distinct value at stake in this exercise, separate from conservation status. The Commission must ensure that any derogation under Article 9 of the Birds Directive or Article 16 of the Habitats Directive only utilises lethal measures as a last resort.

• Micro company, GBR NGO, GBR model reads as: wants changes source
  • Preserve existing legal safeguards when simplifying the Birds and Habitats Directives

    We ask for: 1. preservation of the existing legal safeguards;

  • Ensure appropriate assessments remain capable of examining cumulative effects, habitat fragmentation, ecological connectivity and ecosystem functions

    Appropriate assessments must therefore remain capable of examining: • cumulative effects from multiple activities; • habitat fragmentation; • ecological connectivity; • effects upon food webs and ecosystem functions; • disturbance across breeding and dependent-young periods; and • uncertainty or gaps in the available evidence.

  • Strengthen practical implementation of Article 10 through habitat corridors, wildlife-sensitive infrastructure design, and monitoring of connectivity measures

    HTSR asks the Commission to strengthen practical implementation of Article 10 through: • habitat corridors; • connected grassland, heathland and woodland-edge habitats; • avoidance of unnecessary fragmentation; • wildlife-sensitive infrastructure design; • restoration of degraded landscape features; and • monitoring of whether claimed connectivity measures work in practice.

• Micro company, NLD Consumer organisation, NLD model reads as: opposes source
  • The European Commission should escalate this matter to Advocate General Juliane Kokott for review of the alleged violations of the Birds and Habitats Directives.

    I therefore respectfully request that the legal concern raised in this submission be brought to the attention of the Advocate General Juliane Kokott responsible for Natura 2000 matters, given her established expertise in ensuring scientific objectivity and compliance with the Bird and Habitat Directives.

  • The Schoorl dune area must be designated as a Special Protection Area (SPA) under the Bird Directive due to the presence of multiple Annex I bird species.

    which should have been designated as a Special Protection Area (SPA) under the Bird Directive

  • The proposed felling of forests and blowing of lime-rich sand must not proceed as these measures violate the Birds and Habitat Directives and will destroy the H2140 habitat.

    the proposed felling of approximal 95 hectares of Forests (amongst other destroying's) is against the Birds Directive and Habitat Directive

• Svenska Naturskyddsföreningen Environmental organisation, SWE; register: Non-governmental organisations, platforms and networks and similar model reads as: wants changes source
  • Establish preventative systems in forestry and ensure authorities have knowledge of which species are present in forests to be harvested.

    Det finns ännu inget förbyggande system för skogsbruket och verksamhetsutövarna och ansvarig myndighet har generellt inte kunskap om vilka arter som finns i den skog som ska avverkas.

  • Correct the misapplication of species protection rules (Articles 12, 14, and 16) to population management hunting of strictly protected and protected species such as wolves, lynx, and bears.

    Ett annat exempel där Naturskyddsföreningen ser en felaktig tillämpning av art- och habitatdirektivet (främst artikel 12, 14 och 16) är den i Sverige årligt återkommande beståndsbegränsande jakten av strikt skyddade och skyddade arter så som varg, lo och björn.

  • Implement non-deterioration requirements under Article 6.2 and proper assessments for activities such as hydropower and bottom trawl fishing in Natura 2000 areas.

    Sverige har inte heller genomfört kraven på icke-försämring i artikel 6.2 art- och habitatdirektivet på så sätt att det får genomslag i prövningen.

• Swedish Forest Industries Federation Business association, SWE; register: Trade and business associations model reads as: wants changes source
  • Shift species protection from individual occurrences to population-level conservation outcomes.

    Species protection rules are increasingly applied at the level of individual occurrences or hypothetical risks rather than population-level conservation outcomes.

  • Differentiate implementation requirements between ongoing land management and land conversion.

    It should not weaken biodiversity protection, but ensure that conservation measures are targeted where they deliver real ecological benefits, that ongoing land use is treated differently from land conversion or high-risk permitting procedures, and that legal obligations are clear and feasible for both authorities and operators.

  • Address structural problems in proportionality, legal certainty, administrative burden, and procedural efficiency.

    In recent years, implementation of the Nature Directives in Sweden has revealed structural problems linked to proportionality, legal certainty, administrative burden, procedural efficiency, Natura 2000, compensation and policy coherence.

• CEETTAR Business association, IRL; register: Trade unions and professional associations model reads as: wants changes source
  • Improve coherence between the Nature Directives and other EU frameworks through interoperable data systems and a single reporting requirement.

    Improve coherence between the Nature Directives and the other frameworks contractors work under, including the CAP, the Deforestation Regulation, nature restoration, and energy and climate rules. We ask for interoperable EU and national data systems and a 'report once' principle that prevents the same information being collected repeatedly.

  • Provide clearer rules and more transparent workable derogation procedures so operators know with confidence what is permitted.

    Provide clearer rules and more transparent, workable derogation procedures, so operators know with confidence what is permitted, for example around timing restrictions in breeding seasons.

• Confederation of European Paper Industries Business association, BEL; register: Trade and business associations model reads as: wants changes source
  • Balance European competitiveness and socio-economic benefits with biodiversity and conservation objectives.

    The Directives should be effective in supporting European competitiveness and socio-economic benefits while balancing biodiversity and conservation objectives.

  • Clarify that species protection prohibitions apply only where harm, damage, or killing is intentional.

    The Directives should clarify that prohibitions apply only where harm, damage, or killing is intentional.

  • Revise the Directives to be clearer and more proportionate so they do not significantly impede ongoing land use except through designation of new protected areas.

    The Directives should be revised to become clearer and more proportionate. They should not significantly impede ongoing land use except through the designation of new protected areas.

• Esterhazy Betriebe AG Company, AUT model reads as: wants changes source
  • Revise the assessment methodology to prevent appropriate habitat conditions from being incorrectly classified as poor or bad conservation status due to expert rules.

    the poor conservation status of forest habitats is largely an artefact of expert rules in the assessment method, which cascade a broad range of good habitat conditions into a bad conservation status

• Bretagne Vivante SEPNB Environmental organisation, FRA model reads as: wants changes source
  • Ensure any simplification of the directives does not reduce the level of protection for species and habitats.

    La consultation engagée par la Commission européenne ne doit pas conduire à une simplification qui réduirait le niveau de protection des espèces et des habitats.

  • Increase financial and human resources dedicated to implementing the directives.

    Le principal frein à l'efficacité des directives n'est pas leur niveau d'exigence mais l'insuffisance des moyens consacrés à leur mise en œuvre.

  • Update the lists of protected species and habitats given the global biodiversity collapse.

    Les listes d'espèces et d'habitats des directives « Oiseaux » et « Habitats » nécessitent une mise à jour au regard de l'effondrement global de la biodiversité constaté à large échelle.

• Comune di Pimonte Public authority, ITA model reads as: wants changes source
  • Request the Campania Region to initiate a procedure to revise the perimeter of the ZSC IT8030008 with specific reference to consolidated urban areas.

    Di richiedere formalmente alla Regione Campania l'avvio del procedimento finalizzato alla revisione della perimetrazione della Zona Speciale di Conservazione (ZSC) IT8030008 "Dorsale dei Monti Lattari", con il solo riferimento alle aree urbanizzate consolidate del Comune di Pimonte;

  • Align the ZSC perimeter boundaries with the existing Regional Park boundaries within Pimonte municipality.

    Di proporre ufficialmente alla Regione Campania di uniformare i perimetri della ZSC Dorsale dei Monti Lattari nel Comune di Pimonte, con i confini del Parco Regionale dei Monti Lattari previsti nel comune stesso;

  • Establish a technical-institutional working group involving the Campania Region, Environment Ministry and other competent authorities to verify the appropriateness of the current ZSC delimitation.

    Di chiedere l'attivazione di un tavolo tecnico-istituzionale con il coinvolgimento della Regione Campania, del Ministero dell'Ambiente e della Sicurezza Energetica e degli ulteriori soggetti competenti, finalizzato alla verifica della congruità dell'attuale delimitazione della ZSC;

• WWF Sweden Environmental organisation, SWE model reads as: supports source
  • Allow regular scientific updates to the directives' annexes without reopening the directives themselves.

    We advocate for a technical adjustment that would allow the annexes of both directives to be updated regularly on a scientific basis, without reopening the directives themselves.

  • Do not weaken the directives, as simplification efforts risk lowering legal standards and conservation outcomes.

    Our view is that simplification efforts often risk lowering legal standards and, consequently, weakening outcomes.

  • Focus the stress test on identifying best practices for implementation within the existing legal framework, with adequate funding and enforcement.

    The key challenges with the directives are ensuring proper implementation, adequate funding, and effective enforcement. Therefore, the stress test should focus on identifying best practices for efficient and effective implementation within the existing legal framework.

• Bundesarbeitskammer | Austrian Federal Chamber of Labour NGO, AUT; register: Trade unions and professional associations model reads as: opposes source
  • Do not weaken existing nature conservation provisions, but rather protect the vital resources that underpin society and economy.

    Keine Aufweichung bestehender Naturschutzbestimmungen, sondern Schutz der Lebensgrundlagen,

  • Strengthen legal certainty, planning certainty, and efficient national implementation of existing regulations.

    Rechts- und Planungssicherheit sowie eine effiziente nationale Umsetzung stärken,

  • Ensure sufficient EU funding through a successor fund to the Recovery and Resilience Fund and increased use of EU agricultural subsidies for nature conservation.

    ausreichende EU-Finanzierung über einen Nachfolgefonds des Resilienz- und Aufbaufonds sowie den verstärkten Einsatz von EU-Agrarfördergeldern im Naturschutz.

• Danube Sturgeon Task Force (DSTF) NGO, BEL; register: Non-governmental organisations, platforms and networks and similar model reads as: wants changes source
  • Include legally binding targets for sturgeon species in the future biodiversity restoration law, particularly for species currently covered only by Annex V of the Habitats Directive.

    we would like to address our deepest support for the sturgeon conservation initiative of WWF, WSCS and DSTF and use the opportunity to include additional legally binding targets in the future biodiversity restoration law for the sturgeon species in particular for the species currently only covered by Annex V of the Habitats Directive.

  • Consider critically endangered sturgeon species under the new EU Biodiversity Strategy and EU restoration law to provide necessary support for Member States' conservation actions.

    Considering critically endangered sturgeon species under the new EU Biodiversity Strategy and in particular under the EU restoration law, which would provide much needed support for Member States to increase urgently needed conservation actions.

  • Organize transnational conservation efforts for all sturgeon species to prevent their extinction in EU waters.

    Member States and the EU should organize transnational conservation efforts for all sturgeon species avoiding their extinction in EU waters in the near future as happened for Danube ship sturgeon recently.

• Federation of Swedish Farmers Business association, SWE; register: Trade and business associations model reads as: wants changes source
  • Trigger prohibitions and assessment requirements only where there is a demonstrable risk of negative impact on conservation status, differentiated by species, region, activity and risk level.

    Prohibitions and assessment requirements should be triggered mainly where there is a demonstrable risk of negative impact on conservation status, with requirements differentiated by species, region, activity and risk level.

  • Provide clearer interpretation of key concepts such as disturbance, deliberateness, breeding and resting sites, continuous ecological functionality and investigation requirements.

    Key concepts such as disturbance, deliberateness, breeding and resting sites, continuous ecological functionality and sufficient investigation requirements need clearer interpretation.

• Voka vzw Business association, BEL model reads as: wants changes source
  • Establish a permitting framework enabling competent authorities to assess proportionality, public interest, temporary impacts, compensation and net environmental outcomes in a legally secure way.

    Europe needs a permitting framework that allows competent authorities to assess proportionality, public interest, temporary impacts, compensation and net environmental outcomes in a legally secure way.

  • Reform the substantive application of environmental legislation rather than merely simplifying procedures, as the cumulative effect of the Habitats Directive, Birds Directive, and related regimes makes projects legally vulnerable despite clear public interest.

    The problem is not only that procedures take too long. It is that the cumulative effect of EU environmental and nature legislation - in particular the Habitats Directive, Birds Directive, Water Framework Directive, EIA and SEA regimes - increasingly makes projects legally vulnerable, even where their wider societal or environmental value is clear.

• Österreichisches Kuratorium für Fischerei und Gewässerschutz Environmental organisation, AUT model reads as: wants changes source
  • Establish regular scientific review and adaptation of protection status based on current species population developments, including adaptive management allowing population regulation measures.

    Schutzstatus und Managementmaßnahmen müssen regelmäßig anhand aktueller wissenschaftlicher Erkenntnisse überprüft und an die tatsächliche Entwicklung von Artenbeständen angepasst werden.

  • Create EU-wide harmonized methods, comparable survey periods and clear reference values for assessing conservation status of populations and habitats.

    Das ÖKF fordert daher EU-weit möglichst harmonisierte Methoden, vergleichbare Erhebungszeiträume und klare Referenzwerte für die Bewertung von Populationen und Lebensräumen.

  • Simplify and better coordinate nature protection regulations to enable efficient implementation and resolve target conflicts between different protected interests.

    Das ÖKF fordert eine Vereinfachung und bessere Abstimmung der Regelungen, um eine zielgerichtete und effiziente Umsetzung des Naturschutzes zu ermöglichen.

• Micro company, IRL NGO, IRL model reads as: wants changes source
  • Prioritize implementation improvements including reducing administrative duplication, improving coordination between authorities, providing clearer guidance, increasing regulatory capacity, and establishing predictable decision timelines.

    The greatest opportunity for improvement lies in implementation rather than legislative change. Priority should be given to reducing unnecessary administrative duplication, improving coordination between competent authorities, providing clearer guidance, increasing regulatory capacity, establishing predictable decision timelines and making better use of existing scientific evidence.

  • Recognize commercial fishermen as environmental partners in biodiversity monitoring, habitat assessment, and marine spatial planning.

    Commercial fishermen are among Europe's most consistent marine observers. Their practical knowledge can strengthen biodiversity monitoring, habitat assessment, species observations, marine litter monitoring, climate adaptation and evidence-based marine spatial planning.

  • Invest in shared environmental datasets, digital permitting systems, community-based monitoring, and collaborative research to improve decisions while reducing costs and delays.

    NDFG supports investment in shared environmental datasets, digital permitting systems, community-based monitoring, collaborative research and standardised assessment methodologies to improve decisions while reducing unnecessary costs and delays.

• DIHK - German Chamber of Commerce and Industry Business association, DEU; register: Other organisations, public or mixed entities model reads as: wants changes source
  • Enable faster approval for projects falling below de minimis emission thresholds through procedural simplifications.

    voices from the business community are calling for simplifications to enable projects that fall below the de minimis emission thresholds to be approved more quickly.

• France industrie Business association, FRA; register: Trade and business associations model reads as: wants changes source
  • Establish Commission guidelines and clarifications to remove interpretation ambiguities and simplify procedures across member states.

    Mettre en place des lignes directrices, précisions et compléments par la Commission pour lever les zones d'ombre d'interprétation et simplifier certaines procédures.

  • Replace systematic application of the precautionary principle with a proportionate risk-based approach focused on credible risks rather than hypothetical scenarios.

    Substituer à l'application systématique du principe de précaution une approche proportionnée, fondée sur les risques crédibles plutôt que sur des scénarios hypothétiques.

  • Strengthen the application of 'imperative reasons of overriding public interest' in Article 6 paragraph 4 of the Habitats Directive for projects contributing to decarbonation and energy security.

    Renforcer l'application des « raisons impératives d'intérêt public majeur » de l'article 6§4 de la directive Habitats, pour les projets contribuant à la décarbonation et à la sécurité énergétique.

• IUCN National Committee of the Netherlands (IUCN NL) NGO, NLD; register: Non-governmental organisations, platforms and networks and similar model reads as: wants changes source
  • Establish a mechanism for systematic review of the directives' annexes and replace EU conservation status criteria with IUCN Red List categories.

    In terms of wider reforms, it is essential that a mechanism for the systematic review of the contents of the Annexes is established.... To facilitate this, the EU criteria used to determine whether a species has a favourable conservation status should be replaced with the IUCN Red List categories relating to extinction risk.

  • Set up controls and monitoring at different governance levels to prevent dilution and divergence of the Habitats Directives.

    While there are good reasons to delegate specific implementation tasks to more local levels, such as local variation in environmental conditions, such flexibility must not lead to goal erosion.

  • Develop measurable requirements for legal instruments with which countries and local stakeholders can be held responsible.

    legal conservation instruments should include measurable requirements for which countries can be held responsible, for example, in forms of efficient sanctions such as decreased European funding toward local stakeholders.

• Métropole Nice Côte d'Azur. Précision : Une première contribution de la Métropole Nice Côte d'Azur avait été faite pour les sites Natura 2000 terrestres et nous faisons cette 2e contribution pour les sites Natura 2000 maritimes. Public authority, FRA model reads as: wants changes source
  • Increase human and financial resources at all levels and ensure political support and coherence with other public policies for N2000 site management.

    c'est inefficace par l'absence de moyens humains et financiers à toutes les échelles permettant une véritable gestion et un meilleur suivi et accompagnement, + absence de portage politique et de cohérence avec les autres politiques publiques

  • Train state services with scientists and create summary sheets by work type and habitat to properly assess project impacts on species and habitats.

    Formation des services instructeurs par des scientifiques, avec création de fiche récap par thématique de travaux et par habitat (ex : travaux portuaires et bruit sous-marin = cétacés / rechargement des plages et turbidité ensablement herbiers).

  • Create precise guidelines and indicators for project applicants to enable better comparison of impacts across similar projects on different territories.

    Création de guidelines avec indicateurs précis à remplir par le pétitionnaire, pour une meilleure comparaison des impacts entre travaux similaires sur d'autres territoire.

• Iberdrola S.A. Company, ESP; register: Companies & groups model reads as: wants changes source
  • Harmonize the interpretation and application of the Directives across Member States and ensure adequate resources for competent authorities.

    The effectiveness of the Directives is mainly constrained by their uneven implementation across Member States, the lack of resources within competent authorities, and the absence of harmonised interpretation and application of key provisions.

  • Streamline permitting and environmental assessment procedures by establishing clear and binding deadlines and reducing overlaps and duplications between administrative authorities.

    In practice, permitting and environmental assessment procedures remain complex and burdensome, with unclear or non-binding deadlines, overlaps and duplications between different administrative authorities, and inadequate administrative capacity to process applications efficiently.

  • Broaden the interpretation of eligible compensatory measures under the Habitats Directive to expand options and reduce costs.

    However, the compensation provisions of the Habitats Directive continue to be interpreted in a narrow manner which restricts the range of eligible compensatory measures. This increases costs and

• European Construction Industry Federation (FIEC) Business association, BEL; register: Trade unions and professional associations model reads as: wants changes source
  • Provide clearer, legally robust derogation provisions under the Directives for projects serving overriding public interests where effective mitigation measures ensure conservation objectives are achieved.

    Providing clearer, legally robust and practically applicable derogation provisions under the Birds and Habitats Directives, particularly for projects serving overriding public interests, where effective avoidance, replacement or compensatory measures ensure that conservation objectives continue to be achieved (cf. Articles 6(4) and 16 Habitats Directive, Article 9 Birds Directive).

  • Introduce an early-stage mechanism requiring a systematic decision at initial project authorisation on whether an overriding reason of major public interest should be recognised.

    Introduce a mechanism requiring a systematic decision, at the time of the initial authorisation of an (infrastructure) project, on whether an overriding reason of major public interest should be recognised and whether there is no other satisfactory solution.

• ISPRA Academic or research institution, ITA model reads as: supports source
  • Strengthen integrated biodiversity monitoring programmes to include fungi where relevant.

    strengthening integrated biodiversity monitoring, including fungi where relevant;

  • Improve the availability and interoperability of biodiversity data across systems.

    improving the availability and interoperability of biodiversity data;

  • Achieve efficiency improvements through better knowledge and coordination rather than by lowering environmental safeguards.

    Simplification should be achieved through better knowledge, monitoring and coordination, rather than by lowering environmental safeguards.

• Finnish Forest Industries Federation Trade union, FIN; register: Trade and business associations model reads as: wants changes source
  • The regulatory framework should acknowledge ecological limitations and avoid setting targets based on static ecological baselines that cannot account for climate change and structural factors.

    A regulatory framework that assumes static ecological baselines risks setting targets that are difficult or impossible to achieve in practice.

  • Species protection rules should be applied proportionately, differentiated by species threat level and focused on population-level impacts rather than individual specimens.

    The application of species protection rules can be disproportionate. Legal obligations often apply similarly to common and threatened species, and protection is frequently triggered at the level of individual specimens rather than population-level impacts.

• Born Free Foundation NGO, FRA; register: Non-governmental organisations, platforms and networks and similar model reads as: opposes source
  • Do not frame environmental requirements as burdens or costs, but recognize them as essential investments in Europe's resilience and safeguards for effective environmental governance.

    Indeed, the requirements of the BHD and the wider environmental and nature protection framework should not be framed as "burdens" or "costs", but recognised and used as essential safeguards and a benchmark for effective environmental governance.

  • Use the stress test to identify measures to strengthen the implementation, enforcement and financing of the BHD, not to weaken the directives.

    Instead, the Stress Test and the wider simplification package should be used to identify measures to strengthen the implementation, enforcement and financing of the BHD, as well as the EU's broader nature and environmental legislative framework.

• Aedes - Federation of Dutch Social Housing Associations NGO, NLD; register: Non-governmental organisations, platforms and networks and similar model reads as: wants changes source
  • Shift towards population-based species protection rather than individual-focused protection to reduce costs and processing times

    Shift towards population-based species protection. Population-based species protections ensure the preservation of strictly protected species while saving costs and time. Instead of focussing on individuals of species, with associated costs related to ecological studies and costly compensation measures, member states should have the possibility to focus on the general improvement of a population through ex ante nature inclusive construction and renovation methods and ex post monitoring of the population. This will not only drive down costs and permitting times, but also focus explicitly on the genuine improvement of protected species.

  • Simplify the prohibition on deliberate disturbance of protected species

    Simplify prohibition on deliberate disturbance of species. The current prohibition on deliberate disturbance of species (e.g. bats in cavity walls), poses signif

  • Clarify the interpretation of duty of care obligations to reduce uncertainty and administrative delays

    Housing associations also note that the interpretation of the duty of care is unclear. This leads to discussions between ecologists employed by housing associations and those of the province or environmental authority, which in turn creates uncertainty, higher costs and delays.

29 more analysed submissions on the consultation page.