The implementation of the Water Framework Directive in the European Member States sets important parameters for the protection of species and habitats. The project analyses impacts upon agriculture arising from the implementation of the Wild Birds Directive, the Habitats Directive and the Water Framework Directive.

Background

The Wild Birds Directive (79/409/EEC) and the Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) are the two most important pieces of legislation for the conservation of nature and biodiversity in Europe. The Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC) sets the legal framework of water management in all of Europe including actual water bodies and their entire river basins. In addition, the European Agriculture Policy does not directly belong to the environmental policy field but affects the environment. Up to now, there is few research done on the linkages among nature conservation and protection of species, water protection and agriculture implementing these directives.

Project Objectives

The project aims to draw more attention to the connections between these three directives, to intensify efforts to disseminate information about the obvious synergies, and to contribute to more effective implementation of these Directives. The main objective is to spread information about the relationships and overlaps which result from the implementation of the three directives and their impacts on land use, particularly agriculture. Therefore, the project aims to initiate co-operations between nature conservation, water protection and agriculture and to develop common strategies.

Ecologic delivers a work programme on the topic "Impacts upon Agriculture Arising from the Implementation of the Directive on the Conservation of Wild Birds, the Directive on the Conservation of Natural Habitats and of Wild Fauna and Flora and the Forthcoming Water Framework Directive - Strategies for Solving Conflicts and Optimising Synergy Use". This work programme lays down aims and tasks that should be achieved in the period of 2 - 3 years by the WWF Germany, the department of agriculture and rural development.