EU studying Malta's Natura 2000 submissions

The national list of sites submitted by the Maltese government to be included in the EU's Natura 2000 environmental network is being considered and final discussions between the European Commission and the government on the matter should be held soon.

This was stated by a spokesman for the Environment Directorate General of the European Commission in replies to questions by The Times.

The Natura 2000 network is the EU's environment conservation programme and was originally established in order to protect the most seriously threatened habitats and species across Europe. As a member of the EU, Malta is obliged to transpose and implement the legislation connected to this network, specifically the birds and the habitat directives.

Malta has already informed the Commission it has designated six special protection areas under the birds directive and also proposed a national list of 23 sites marked as being of community importance under the habitats directive. The sites designated under the birds directive are under the sole responsibility of Malta and the Commission only takes action in case there are clear indications of insufficient designation.

On the other hand, in the case of the 23 sites submitted under the habitats directive there is a process of analysis by the Commission.

The Commission's spokesman said that in the analysis being carried on the Maltese sites, various experts and non-governmental organisations are being consulted.

The list submitted by the Maltese government includes four sites in Gozo, the islands of Comino, Cominotto and Filfla and various other sites in Malta like Mizieb, l-Imgiebah, Wied Babu, Ghadira, Simar, St Paul's Islands and Dingli Cliffs.

The Commission spokesman said sites designated under the Natura 2000 network will benefit from increased protection which applies not only to the site itself but also to the birds, natural habitats and species of plants and animals living and growing in such designated sites.