site.btaEC Asks Bulgaria to Improve Implementation of EU Nature Legislation

Brussels, July 10 (BTA corr. Nikolay Jeliazkov) - The European Commission is sending an additional letter of formal notice to Bulgaria over systemic failings in its implementation of EU nature legislation, the EC said in a press release Thursday.

The EU Birds Directive (Directive 2009/147/EC) and the Habitats Directive (Council Directive 92/43/EEC) establish the EU-wide Natura 2000 network of protected areas. Economic activities may take place in Natura 2000 sites, provided there is no adverse effect on the integrity of the site. In Bulgaria, cumulative impacts of existing and authorised plans and projects to Natura 2000 areas have systematically not been taken into account, and many developments representing a major threat to conservation objectives have still been authorized.

The issue was first identified a decade ago, and although Bulgaria has since taken some measures to address the issue, this structural problem persists and the EC regularly receives complaints about plans and projects that are authorised on the basis of inadequate assessments, or even in the absence of appropriate assessments. The EC has, therefore, decided to send an additional letter of formal notice, giving Bulgaria two months to reply; otherwise, the Commission may decide to send a reasoned opinion.