1. Progress with transition to new SDF
Habitats Committee
4 October 2012

2. Natura 2000 software - current situation
Helpdesk offered support to overcome the first hurdles with the installation and use of the software
Some bugs which have been identified by Member States when starting to use the software intensively have been fixed by EEA
Version 2.1 (improved release) has been made available in the beginning of August
List of improvements for this version can be found in the release notes
in addition a minor glitch was fixed on 15 September
(entry of long text for reference to legislation is possible now)
Current version runs without errors and is a useful means to:
transfer data into the new structure as automated as possible
support the necessary manual editing of data with a user friendly interface
Edit data directly in the database and that followed re-import into the tool
generate the required output format for upload to Reportnet
also in cases where not jet all non-optional data fields have been filled in by MS

3. Natura 2000 software – long-term perspective
The sources of the software are made freely available by the EEA in case that Member States wish to adopt the software to their specific needs on the national level
use another backend software for the remote version
adopt to major upgrades the required components (java, .net, mySQL)
The software was envisioned as a start-up help in the transition phase from the old to the new SDF.
Once the transition is successfully achieved, any system can be used for the reporting
- on condition that the agreed transfer format is met
As to sustain desktop software development is related to high costs the EEA is looking for alternatives

4. End of transition phase I
In transition phase I is expected that
Existing data are transferred into the new format
Gaps are filled and data updated with information that is available (e.g. SAC designation date & legal reference, marine %)
Database uploaded to Reportnet
Taking into account the delayed delivery of the software the deadline for upload
of database in the new format has been postponed to 31. October
End of transition phase II
By end of 2015: all Member States have updated their SDFs to the state of knowledge / best available information; All mandatory fields are filled in / update information that is not readily available (primarily information in the “Ecological information” section);