A network that should provide protection

Demanding directives

The birds directive is the EU's oldest nature law, celebrating its 30th birthday this year. This law extended the EU's writ to the oystercatcher, the lapwing and dozens of other endangered birds. The law has shown results: species listed under the directive have fared better than those not given conservation status, according to the scientific journal Nature. In 1992 EU governments agreed the habitats directive, a more exacting law that required them to designate nature conservation areas in their countries – the Natura 2000 network. The directive sets out a decision-making process aimed at preventing damaging economic development. Some projects can still go ahead if they are deemed to be of ‘imperative' and ‘overriding' public interest, and so long as nature is compensated.