COMPLAINT FORM INSTRUCTIONS:

NB: Submitting a complaint to the Bern Convention is a serious accusation against the concerned Contracting Party(ies). Complaints must demonstrate a sufficient degree of seriousness or urgency related to species or habitats of European importance, and the complainant must demonstrate that the issue has already been raised at local and/or national level.

Complaint forms must be submitted in electronic word format, in English or French, and not exceed 3 pages, including the first administrative page. A maximum 5-page report can be attached. The Secretariat will request additional information on a case-by-case basis. Anonymous complaints are not admissible; however the Secretariat will take measures to keep the personal details of the complainant confidential.

First name:.........................................................................................................................................

Surname(s)………............................................................................................................................

On behalf of (if applicable): .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Address:.........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Town/City:........................................................................................................................................

County/State/Province:..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Postcode:............................................................................................................................................

Country:.............................................................................................................................................

Tel.:....................................................................................................................................................

E-mail: ..............................................................................................................................................

Website: ...........................................................................................................................................

Date:                                                                                                             Electronic Signature

1.       Please state the reason of your complaint (refer also to the Contracting Party/ies involved and the Articles of the Convention which might be violated)

2.       Which are the specific specie/s or habitat/s included in one of the Appendices of the Bern Convention that are potentially affected? (Please include here information about the geographical area and the population of the species concerned, if applicable)

3.       What might be the negative effects for the specie/s or habitat/s concerned?

4.       Do you know if potentially affected species or habitats also fall under the scope of other international Conventions, (for instance: RAMSAR, CMS, ACCOBAMS, Barcelona Convention, etc) or if the area has been identified as a NATURA 2000/Emerald Network, UNESCO site? Are there pending procedures within another international institution?

5.       Have you attempted to address this issue with the relevant local and national authorities? Please describe. Are there any pending procedures at national level regarding the object of your complaint?

6.       Any other information (existence of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), size of projects, maps of the area, etc) (for large files, please add a separate annex document, as mentioned in the above instructions)