1. European Species Action Plans for species covered by the Habitats Directive
Sylvia Barova
Unit B.3 – Nature
DG Environment, European Commission
Habitats Committee, 04 October 2012 Brussels

2. Target 1 of the Biodiversity Strategy:
European Species Action Plans for species covered by the Habitats Directive
Why EU SAPs?
Target 1 of the Biodiversity Strategy:
By 2020, 50% more species assessments under the Habitats Directive show favourable or improved conservation status
EU SAPs can make an important contribution:
Gather best expertise available
Define well focused priority conservation actions
Identify responsibilities
Identify resources needed

3. European Species Action Plans for species covered by the Habitats Directive
Why EU SAPs?
Common conservation tool at regional, national, international level
Address species needs within the full EU range of distribution
Produced in participatory way (conservationists, scientists, stakeholders, authorities)
Set agreed conservation objectives and framework of actions
Useful information to be used in the context of other policies (integration)
Support to stakeholders and Member States' efforts at regional/national level

4. Background information
European Species Action Plans for species covered by the Habitats Directive
Background information
In 2009 the Habitats Committee adopted:
Methodology for the preparation
Criteria for species selection
Short list of 36 species
Three species were selected for initial SAP development:
- Colias myrmidone and Alytes obstretricans (both in 2009) and
- Spermophilus citellus in 2010.
EU Non bird Species Action Plans
Information presented at the Habitats Committee on 26th September 2011
Background
On 13th February 2009 the Habitats Committee adopted a methodology for the preparation of non-bird EU Species Action Plans and criteria for species selection. A short list of 36 species was presented, three of which were selected for initial SAP development: Colias myrmidone and Alytes obstretricans (both in 2009) and Spermophilus citellus in 2010.
Progress to date
A first draft of the proposed format for the first two SAPs was consulted with Member States in spring 2009.
Each country was asked to nominate experts to be involved in the preparation.
The first drafts of the Alytes obstetricans and Colias myrmidone action plans were prepared by the Commission consultant and 5 rounds of consultations with experts were carried out. For each species a dedicated workshop with national experts was held. The Alytes obstetricans workshop took place in Penalara Natural Park (Rascafría, Madrid) and for Colias myrmidone - in Prague. Final drafts of the SAPs have been submitted to the Commission. They will now be uploaded on CIRCA for any final comments by MS and after that the final documents will be uploaded on DG ENV website.
Future work
Before moving on with the preparation of further SAPs the Commission would like to reconsider this activity in the light of the following issues:
- A methodological review of the species action planning process for birds is ongoing (results expected in early 2012); the Commission expects to make use of the lessons learned and optionally apply them to non-bird taxa;
- resource limitations both at Commission and MS level (e.g. The Nature Unit is experiencing shortage of resources; the nominated MS experts have worked on a voluntary basis, and therefore were unable to dedicate full attention to the preparation of the plan.)
Consequently the Commission, while acknowledging the importance of non-bird SAPs, under the current circumstances considers it would be more appropriate to improve the approach and find the best way to continue before new plans are undertaken. Provisionally the Commission intends to include an item on non bird species in the agenda of the next Habitats Committee. The objective would be to discuss with MS their usefulness in view of improving the preparatory process of the action plans, as well as their implementation.

5. First two European SAP are now finalised available on DG ENV website
European Species Action Plans for species covered by the Habitats Directive
First two European SAP are now finalised available on DG ENV website
Following the discussion at the meeting of the Habitats Committee of 26th of September 2012, we herewith would like to inform you that after taking into account the final comments from the Member States the first two European Species Action Plans - for Common midwife toad (Alytes obstetricans) and Danube clouded yellow (Colias myrmidone) are now finalised and will be uploaded on the DG ENV website

6. European ground squirrel (Spermophilus citellus)
European Species Action Plans for species covered by the Habitats Directive
European ground squirrel (Spermophilus citellus)
The elaboration of the EU Action Plan has already started
Provisional timeframe
Nomination of MS experts
15th of May 2012
Structured questionnaire sent to the national experts and collection of information from other sources
May 2012
1st draft based prepared and sent to national experts
end of August 2012
Consultations
until end of September 2012
Workshop with experts
October 2012
Final Draft
December 2012

7. It’s time to reflect and improve
European Species Action Plans for species covered by the Habitats Directive
It’s time to reflect and improve
Stage of elaboration
Selection process of the species: to focus on priorities
Co-ordination with other organizations dealing with SAPs: to make the best use of available resources
Ownership by stakeholders: to involve all concerned actors
Indicators for monitoring of the implementation of SAPs:
Integration of measures in other policies: to reach all concerned actors

8. It is time to reflect and improve
European Species Action Plans for species covered by the Habitats Directive
It is time to reflect and improve
Stage of implementation
Increasing the awareness about their existence
Each plan to have a “guardian”
Monitoring of implementation through easily verifiable indicators
Regular exchange of information among concerned MS, organisations and feedback to stakeholders
Establishment of web-platform
As far as possible making the bridge with the on-going biogeographical process (integration of conservation actions)
Exploration of potential funding opportunities within the existing EU funds

9. Thank you for your attention!