The Birds and Habitats Directives form the foundation of EU nature policy. They aim to protect species and habitats while maintaining the ecological integrity of Europe’s nature. However, these directives were adopted decades ago, and some of their objectives no longer fully reflect ecological realities, making them challenging to implement and achieve in practice. Effective protection of Europe’s nature would require balancing conservation objectives with sustainable land use practices, ensuring that environmental protection and economic activity can advance together.
FFIF key message:
The EU should ensure that nature legislation remains fit for purpose, reflecting ecological realities while supporting sustainable land use.
