1. Expert Group on Reporting under the Nature Directives - WP2 – Align/synchronise reporting under the Birds and Habitats Directives
Brussels, 26 June 2008

2. Aim: Align/synchronise progress reporting under Art. 12 of Birds Dir
Aim: Align/synchronise progress reporting under Art.12 of Birds Dir. with progress reporting under Art.17 Habitats Dir. by
reducing reporting frequency under Birds Dir.
producing similar data on status and trends of bird species as those produced under Art. 17 of the Hab Dir.
Output: Coherent and publicly-available data sets on species and habitats protected by EU legislation
Benefits:
Assessement of effectiveness of the Directives at EU level
Support to MS for Art. 6 appropriate assessments, derogations…
EU input for international processes (eg. CBD)

3. Comparing relevant provisions in EU legislation
Birds / Habitats Directives:
Different timing
Similar content (measures taken by MSs) but Hab Dir more explicit as regards conservation status of habitats/species
Nature Directives / Env Liability Directive:
The ELD uses same definitions of ‘conservation status’ as the Hab Dir and applies them to species and habitats both under the Birds and Hab Directives

4. Options for streamlining
‘loyal cooperation’ under Art. 10 of Treaty:
MSs and the Commission agree on the streamlined approach in the framework of the Habitats and Ornis committees
Modification of reporting obligations in Nature Directives (under envisaged revision of Reporting Dir. 91/692)
SEIS principles: electronic (web-based) reporting, updating instead of fixed periodicity, simplification
Progress reporting: a common provision, same timing, same directions for content, same procedures (incl. role of committee)

5. Harmonising the timing of progress reports
2013:
1st common report
Caution: Draft!
Reports
Birds
Directive
(Art.12)
‘93-’95
‘96-’98
’99-’01
’02-’04
’05-’07
Habitats
Directive
(Art.17)
__|____|____|____|____|____|____|____|____|____|____|____|____|_
‘94 ‘96 ‘98 ’00 ’02 ‘04 ’06 ’ ’10 ’12 ‘14 ’16 ’18

6. Streamlining of content of reporting
Status and trends assessments relating to birds can be included in Art. 12 reporting – benefits from this
Legal requirements of the Birds Dir are not affected
Good data seem to be already available
First steps for the Working Group (sub-group WP2):
Review and compare existing methods available at MS/European level on assessing bird status and trends
Scope of birds covered by reporting, data implications