The EU’s first nature law, the Birds Directive, celebrates its 30th anniversary on 2 April. The legislation is one of the greatest achievements of European environmental policy and is central to the EU's strategy for halting biodiversity loss. The Birds Directive has played a key role in reversing the decline of some of Europe’s most threatened birds, particularly through its network of Special Protection Areas (SPAs).

The Birds Directive: a success story

Thirty years after its adoption, the Birds Directive remains the most important piece of EU legislation for the protection of Europe’s birds. It is also one of the EU's most successful environmental policies.

A study published in the journal Science has confirmed that it has made a significant contribution to halting the decline of some of Europe's most threatened birds. The improvement in the fortunes of threatened birds such has been largely due to the designation of Special Protection Areas (SPAs). A network of almost 5,000 SPAs covers more than 10% of Europe’s land mass, as well as substantial inshore marine areas. They form an integral part of the Natura 2000 ecological network.

The Birds Directive is an excellent example of successful international cooperation. When it was adopted in 1979, the EU was composed of just nine Member States. Today cooperation is spread across the enlarged EU, with SPAs in all 27 countries. The same rules on bird protection apply throughout the EU and the Commission is rigorous in its implementation of these, pursuing Member States in the courts if necessary.

In fact, the Commission recently issued an official guide on sustainable hunting of wild species, evidence that the directive continues in full force and work continues on the protection of birds in Europe.

The Birds Directive has recognised the importance of human activities, such as hunting, fishing and farming, coexisting alongside nature. Much of the land covered by the Natura 2000 network is likely to continue to be privately owned, with emphasis on ensuring that future management is sustainable, both ecologically and economically.

Challenges ahead

Despite this progress, the EU's rich diversity of over 500 wild bird species still faces serious pressures. According to the latest scientific studies, 43% of Europe's bird species are threatened or facing serious declines. This presents a major challenge for the completion of the Natura 2000 network, including the marine component.

The health of wild birds is symptomatic of the wider pressures facing biodiversity, such as climate change. There is already evidence of a shift in the distribution of some bird populations. Ensuring adequate space for nature and adapting bird conservation to a changing climate is a key challenge for the future.

The Birds Directive is also helping deliver international EU commitments to migratory birds. Since many species spend part of their lives outside Europe, it is essential to work with other countries along their flyways to provide the necessary protection to ensure healthy bird populations.

Background

The Birds Directive is the EU’s oldest piece of nature legislation and one of the most important, creating a comprehensive scheme of protection for all wild bird species naturally occurring in the Union. Its was adopted unanimously by the Members States in 1979 as a response to increasing concern about the declines in Europe's wild bird populations resulting from pollution, loss of habitats as well as unsustainable use. It was also in recognition that wild birds, many of which are migratory, are a shared heritage of the Member States and that their effective conservation required international co-operation.