EU Environmental approximation in the WB and Turkey- ETNAR Conference Bosnia and Herzegovina Nataša Crnković Center for Environment Palic, September 24 th to 26 th 2013

Legal framework Most of the Laws are partly harmonized with EU legislation, missing linkages with specific nature conservation directives New Law on nature protection is in preparation Difficulties with national/entity/cantonal levels

Biodiversity, Forests and Protected areas Highly diverse ecosystems (BiH is one of the five European countries most rich in species) 30% of the total endemic flora in the Balkans (1,800 species) is contained within flora of BiH Forest (53% of the area of BiH) Only 1.8% of the territory of BiH is under protection PA do not have management plans (for national parks in process)

Agriculture Percentage of agricultural land - 47% in FBiH - 51% in RS Law on GMOs prohibits the use of genetically modified organisms and products of genetically modified organisms There is no sufficient control over GMOs There are no networks of organic producers or subsidies for them

Sea and Freshwaters Laws on water are in correlation with WFD There are no IRBM plans BiH imported tones of bottled water in first 8 months of 2013 (15 million KM) Wetlands are especially threatened (Bardaca, Hutovo blato, Livanjsko polje) Around 20 km of the sea coast near Neum

Case studies Small hydro power plants in National Park Sutjeska in accordance with BiH legislation not in line with EU and int. legislation (Bern D, CBD, Habitat and Birds D) Threatening biodiversity hot spots of NP For EIA submitted lawsuit Public participation poorly conducted