Conflicting EU Funds - WWF

18
2.3
Conclusions and
recommendations
Europe’s population continues to grow, and
demands for new infrastructure and other developments
continue to increase. If the remaining
natural heritage of Europe is to be preserved,
it is vital that mechanisms for planning new
developments are able to accommodate nature
protection. European policy will need to incorporate
provisions that:
• Provide protection for the last remaining
areas of Europe with the least human
influence
• Support positive management of sites
• Prevent negative impacts on biodiversity
One of Europe‘s threatened species:
Common Water-frog, Rana esculenta.
© Michal Stránský
Recommendations
Member States should
• Take action to ensure the nature and water protection Directives are being fully
and effectively implemented including:
× Providing sufficient funds from Rural Development, Structural
and Fisheries Funds and LIFE+.
× Achieving and maintaining favourable conservation status for species
and habitats of Community interest.
× Ensuring reporting and monitoring frameworks are in place.
× Protecting, preventing further deterioration and enhancing the status
of aquatic ecosystems and terrestrial ecosystems and wetlands
directly depending on aquatic ecosystems.
• Make progress in designating marine sites for inclusion
in the Natura 2000 network as soon as possible.
The European Community should
• Ensure that Member States are adequately supported (in terms of guidance and finance)
to allow full implementation of the existing Directives.
• Ensure that sufficient resources are committed to measures aimed
at achieving the 2010 goal of halting biodiversity loss.
• Continue to effectively monitor and enforce European legislation
and ensure that infringements are not ignored or accepted.
• Raise awareness for nature protection in all areas.