Nature and biodiversity (7)
How does Malta compare with other EU countries in designated land as part of the Natura 2000 network?
Overall Malta compares very well with other EU countries in the Natura 2000 network. According to the latest EU-wide survey (the Natura 2000 Barometer) undertaken by the European Commission, Malta ranks very high in its designation of special protection areas (SPAs) under the birds directive, as this is largely complete. Prior to Bulgaria’s accession into the EU Malta also fared best among new accession countries in reaching sufficiency for the designated sites of community importance (SCIs) under the Habitats Directive.
Considering that 13 per cent of the relatively small land area of the Maltese islands, together with the dense population resulting in significant human pressures, the progress achieved is even more remarkable. Mepa is committed to continue to ensure that the diverse array of flora and fauna found in our islands are safeguarded, both on land and at sea.