Birds and Habitats Directives: focus on better implementation rather than new legislation

At the EOS General Assembly, Gonzalo González Jurado (DG ENV) presented the ongoing work on the implementation of the Birds and Habitats Directives and the Commission's current "stress test" of the legislation.

The presentation recalled that the Birds Directive combines the protection of wild bird species with practical implementation tools, including preventive measures and, where justified, derogations that take into account the realities faced by land managers, farmers, foresters and other economic sectors.

Particular attention was given to the forestry sector, where examples of good practice (including seasonal planning of harvesting operations, habitat mapping, buffer zones around nests and the retention of key habitat structures) were presented as measures to reduce impacts on protected species while allowing sustainable forest management to continue.

The Commission also clarified that the ongoing stress test is not a reopening of the 2016 Fitness Check. Instead, its objective is to evaluate whether the Directives are being implemented efficiently and to identify opportunities to reduce unnecessary administrative burdens while fully preserving their environmental objectives.

The process is expected to continue throughout 2026, with consultations involving stakeholders and Member States before the publication of the final Stress Test Report at the end of the year.

EOS will continue to follow the process closely and contribute to the discussion to ensure that the practical realities of sustainable forest management are fully taken into account.