Committee of Ministers

Strasbourg, 25 July 1997   

Restricted
CM(97)125

For consideration at the 602nd
meeting of the Ministers' Deputies

(30 September 1997, B level, item 9.2)

Pan-European Biological and Landscape
Diversity Strategy

Bureau of the Committee responsible for the activities of the
Council of Europe in the field of biological and landscape diversity
(BU-DBP)

2nd Meeting

Strasbourg, 21 May 1997

Room 11

R E P O R T

I.    Opening of the meeting

1.    The Chair, Mr Joe Sultana (Malta), opened the meeting on Wednesday 21 May 1997 at 9.15am and welcomed the participants.

II.    Adoption of the agenda

    [BU-DBP (97) 1]

2.    After making a number of changes, the Bureau adopted the agenda as set out in Appendix II.

III.    Information about the 1997 work programme and the progress of work to date on the council of europe's contribution to the pan-european strategy

a.    The programme and action themes for the Strategy

3.    Mr Albanese, Director of Environment and Local Authorities of the Council of Europe:

.    presented the whole of the work programme for 1997 and the specific activities undertaken as part of Action Themes No. 1 "Establishing the Pan-European Ecological Network", No. 2 "Integration of biological and landscape diversity considerations into sectors", No. 3 "Raising awareness and support with policy makers and the public", No. 5 "Coastal and marine ecosystems" and No. 11 "Action for threatened species". The 1997 work programme had been adopted by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe in January 1997;

.    thought that the Bureau should hold an initial exchange of views on the work programme for 1998. He outlined that it was essential to maintain the current overall budget, and consideration should therefore be given to how the new activities should be organised:

*    the Council of Europe should maintain front-line responsibility;

*    the Council of Europe should continue its contribution to the implementation of Action Theme No. 2 in the areas of tourism and the environment. It should also initiate a new contribution to sectoral policies by encouraging transport networks to recognise biodiversity;

*    Council of Europe activities relating to the implementation of Action Theme No. 3 would continue;

*    the work undertaken to implement Action Theme No. 5 (drafting of the model law and the coastal code of conduct) should be completed for submission to the Aarhus Conference in June 1998. However, the Council of Europe would continue its coastal conservation activities within the pan-European ecological network of protected coasts;

*    Council of Europe activities relating to the implementation of Action Theme 11 would continue.

    Practical proposals should consequently be presented at the next meeting of the BU-DBP;

.    informed the Bureau about the forthcoming Summit of Heads of State and Government to be held in Strasbourg on 10 and 11 October 1997. Preparations were under way, and it was important to make nature conservation a major focus. It would be helpful if the various delegations could contact their ministries to inform them of the work being carried out, so that they could gauge its importance and relevance.

4.    A number of delegates noted that the Council of Europe was the only forum of its kind to promote the conservation of biodiversity in Europe, and hoped that this would be made clear in the context of preparations for the Summit. The Summit should provide an opportunity for a pan-European appeal in connection with the Aarhus Conference in 1998. It was essential that the Committee of Ministers undertake to continue the Council of Europe's work on the Strategy so that it could be completed. The delegate of Norway thought that each country should make a small financial contribution.

    The Chair was in favour of communicating the idea that the theme of nature conservation was closely linked to the themes of democracy and human rights, in that environmental protection, of which nature was one pillar, was also a human right. Mr Albanese said that nature conservation should be included in the achievements section of the Summit; the final declaration of the heads of state and government would comprise one section on previous achievements and another on new aspects.

    The delegate of the Netherlands said that it was important to concentrate efforts on biodiversity, to show that all sectors of society had a democratic duty to conserve nature so as to create a sustainable future. The Council of Europe had an obligation, for which the Committee of Ministers was responsible, to ensure the preservation of biodiversity in Europe. The delegate of Bulgaria agreed, stressing the fundamental nature of the right to information on the environment, and on biodiversity in particular. It was essential to ensure the flow of information.

5.    Following an exchange of views on those issues, the BU-DBP decided to draw the attention of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe and the Committee of Ministers to the fact that the Council of Europe served as a unique platform for the conservation of biological and landscape diversity in Europe, which was a key aspect of the human rights to biological and landscape diversity that fulfilled the legitimate human aspirations of current and future generations, and that it was consequently important:

.    to maintain the overall budget for nature conservation in 1998 at a level at least equivalent to that of 1997;

.    to refer to the Council of Europe's work in the area of biological and landscape diversity in the documents presented at the Summit.

    The BU-DBP asked Mr Sultana, Chair of the CO-DBP and the BU-DBP, to send a letter along those lines to the Chair of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, mentioning the next Summit and the need to focus on the right to biodiversity and to the protection of biodiversity as a long-term, fundamental human right, a basic factor contributing to the quality of life and an important aspect of the debate on democracy. The Bureau hoped that emphasis would be placed on the Council of Europe's ongoing commitment, in the context of the Strategy, to the preservation of biodiversity and its integration into sectoral policies.

6.    The Chair asked the various delegates present at the meeting, along with those who were absent and would later read the report, to explain the significance of these issues to their ambassadors and ministers so that they knew about them before the forthcoming Summit.

7.    The Secretariat presented the work undertaken in the field of tourism and environment, which drew on the Council of Europe's experience in conducting pilot projects. It reported on three pilot projects to be carried out in the countries of central and eastern Europe:

.    the pilot project "Karst regions" (Romania, Hungary, Slovakia and Slovenia);

.    the pilot project "Northern Vidzeme Regional Nature Protection Complex" (Latvia);

.    the pilot project "Carpathians" (Ukraine, Slovakia and Poland).

    Those projects would be financed primarily by the Council of Europe, with additional outside funding.

8.    The delegate of Switzerland said that those contributions were particularly beneficial; follow-up action should be taken on the pilot projects, as one of the aims was to pass on the experience acquired and to ensure extensive publicity so that they could be repeated elsewhere.

9.    Mr Albanese pointed out that, as had been mentioned at the first meeting of the STRA-BU (Geneva, 27-29 November 1996), Action Theme No. 2 combined two approaches in that it included both horizontal and vertical activities. Horizontal activities generally promoted the idea of integrating nature conservation obligations in sectoral policies, while vertical activities should facilitate consideration on a sector-by-sector basis of ways of doing so. The Council of Europe organised vertical "tourism and environment" activities and also intended to undertake activities concerning the recognition of biodiversity in transport policies. He reminded the Bureau that round tables had been considered necessary for the implementation of Action Theme No. 2. The various economic and social players would have to be persuaded to incorporate environmental policy into sectoral policies.

    The delegate of the Netherlands thought that in order to implement Action Theme No. 2, it was important to promote communication and general participation, and to establish divisions by sector. That action theme was the most innovative one in the Strategy, and should be presented in such a way as to gain support for its proposals. The delegate of the ECNC made the observation that the vertical and horizontal approaches complemented one another; it was important to maintain links between the theory and the practical field projects in order to communicate the nature conservation message.

10.    The BU-DBP took note of the decisions taken by the Group of Specialists "Tourism and Environment", and hoped that the pilot projects would be mentioned at the STRA-BU meeting on 22 and 23 May as part of discussions on Action Theme No. 2.

c.    Naturopa Centre activities

11.    The delegate of the Netherlands said that the Naturopa Centre played a crucial role, as it was important to communicate information on activities and achievements connected with the Strategy. Its success depended on its ability to communicate with the various partners. It was important to pass on the main elements of the experience acquired in Europe, and to review the positive aspects in order to obtain as much information as possible. The Council of Europe was responsible for ensuring that the activities were completed. Networks of correspondents should be developed at national level, and the rest of Europe should be informed of positive achievements (the results

of workshops and activities, events, etc.). The Naturopa Centre's activities made a significant contribution, facilitating the functioning of the Strategy. Its "tools", the Naturopa newsletter and the thematic files, were very important.

    The delegate of Bulgaria thought that the magazine should be published in the different national languages. The delegate of Norway said that Naturopa should shape opinion and clarify the Strategy. It was important to explain why nature was being lost in Europe.

12.    Mr Albanese said that the Naturopa magazine should address general issues linking society with nature. It should focus on networks or specific issues (tourism, ecological network, etc.). Bureaucracy should be avoided. Topics were selected in co-operation with the national agencies. Authors were selected by a small team, but the Secretariat had final responsibility.

13.    The BU-DBP decided to inform the CO-DBP that it was essential to maintain the Naturopa Centre as a key tool in the implementation of the Strategy.

IV.    European diploma

a.    Renewal

14.    The Bureau noted the conclusions of the Group of Specialists on renewal of the European Diploma for the following areas:

    Krimml Waterfalls Nature Site (Austria)

    Lüneburg Heath Nature Reserve (Germany)

    Muddus National Park (Sweden)

    Sarek and Padjelanta National Parks (Sweden)

    Swiss National Park (Switzerland)

    Abruzzi National Park (Italy)

    Maremma Regional Park (Italy)

    Selvagens Islands Nature Reserve (Portugal).

    It discussed the draft resolutions concerning the different areas. With regard to renewal of the diploma:

.    for the Muddus, Sarek and Padjelanta National Parks, the delegate of Norway raised the issue of excessive reindeer grazing and asked that regular reference be made to it in the annual reports;

.    for the Swiss National Park, the delegate of Switzerland expressed a reservation with regard to recommendation 1 on the possibility of establishing a peripheral zone. He would ask the relevant authorities for further information so that he could investigate the matter.

15.    The Bureau decided to renew the diploma for the eight areas and recommended to the Committee of Ministers that it adopt the draft resolutions set out in Appendices III to X to this document.

16.    After hearing the Secretariat's comments, the Bureau adopted the conclusions of the Group of Specialists, which had proposed:

.    that the European Diploma be awarded to the three following areas:

    Carpathian Biosphere Reserve (Ukraine)

    Port-Cros National Park (France)

    Belovezhskaya Pushcha National Park (Belarus).

.    in view of the uncertainties concerning management policies in particular, that the application from Biebrza National Park (Poland) be deferred until a management plan had been drawn up, authorised and communicated, and until its implementation had begun.

17.    The Bureau decided to award the European Diploma to the three areas and recommended to the Committee of Ministers that it adopt the draft resolutions set out in Appendices XI to XIV to this document.

c.    Revision of the award regulations

18.    The Secretariat informed the Bureau that the Group of Specialists had decided to defer this item until its next meeting, to be held on 14 and 15 October 1997.

    [STRA-BU (97) 1]

19.    The delegate of Switzerland informed the participants of a meeting on sources of funding for the Strategy, to be held in Geneva on 13 June 1997.

20.    The BU-DBP noted that information and thanked the Government of Switzerland for its valuable contribution to the implementation of the Strategy.

VI.    Other

21.    The delegate of the United Kingdom informed participants of a forthcoming workshop in November 1997 on the countries of central and eastern Europe, which was being organised as part of the implementation of Action Theme No. 02. He hoped that the event would promote integration of the various sectors.

22.    The BU-DBP warmly thanked the United Kingdom for that important initiative.

VII.    Date and place of the next meeting

23.    The Chair said that the next meeting would be held in Geneva on 19 November 1997.

    *

    * *

    On behalf of all the participants, the Chair sincerely thanked Mr Hector Hacourt for his efforts to promote nature conservation throughout his career at the Council of Europe. He thanked him for his valuable assistance, his kindness and his great human warmth.

     A P P E N D I X I

    LIST OF PARTICIPANTS

BULGARIA / BULGARIE

Mrs Mira MILEVA, Senior Conservation Officer, Ministry of the Environment, SOFIA

DENMARK / DANEMARK

Ms Lisbeth Bjørndal ANDERSEN, Head of Section, National Forestry and Nature Agency, COPENHAGEN

FRANCE (absent)

ITALY / ITALIE (absent)

LATVIA / LETTONIE

Mrs Ilona LODZINA, Head of Nature Protection Division, Ministry of Environment Protection and Regional Development, RIGA

MALTA / MALTE

Mr Joe SULTANA (Chair/Président), Principal Environment Officer, Environment Protection Department, FLORIANA

THE NETHERLANDS / PAYS-BAS

Mr Peter BOS, International Nature Management, Ministry of Agriculture, Nature Management and Fisheries, THE HAGUE

NORWAY / NORVEGE

Mr Jan ABRAHAMSEN, Director General, Dept. for Nature Conservation and Cultural Heritage, Ministry of the Environment, OSLO

RUSSIAN FEDERATION / FEDERATION DE RUSSIE (absent)

SWITZERLAND / SUISSE

Mr Robert LAMB, Office fédéral de l'environnement, des forêts et du paysage, BERNE

THE FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA / L'EX-REPUBLIQUE YOUGOSLAVE DE MACEDOINE (absent)

UNITED KINGDOM / ROYAUME-UNI

Mr John ANGELL, Senior Executive Officer, European Wildlife Division, Department of the Environment, BRISTOL

     INTERPRETERS/INTERPRÈTES

Mme Ingrid CATTON-CONTY

M. William VALK

     SECRETARIAT

COUNCIL OF EUROPE / CONSEIL DE L'EUROPE

Environment Conservation and Management Division/Division de la Protection et de la Gestion de l'Environnement, 67075 STRASBOURG Cedex, France

Mr Ferdinando ALBANESE, Director of Environment and Local Authorities / Directeur de l'environnement et des pouvoirs locaux

Mr Jean Pierre RIBAUT, Head of Division / Chef de la Division

Mr Hector HACOURT, Principal Administrator / Administrateur principal

Mrs Maguelonne DEJEANT-PONS, Administrator / Administrateur

Mrs Françoise BAUER, Principal Administrative Assistant / Assistante Administrative Principale

Ms Cathie MCQUISTON, Secretary / Secrétaire

     A P P E N D I X II

    AGENDA

1.    Opening of the meeting by the Chairman

2.    Adoption of the agenda

    [BU-DBP (97) 1]

3.    Information regarding the 1997 work programme and the progress report of the Council of Europe's contribution to the Pan-European Strategy

4.    European Diploma

    4.1    Renewal

        [PE-S-DE (97) 68, appendices III to X]

    4.2    Award

        [PE-S-DE (97) 68, appendices XI to XIV]

5.    Preparation of the STRA-BU meeting

    [STRA-BU (97) 1]

6.    Other business

7.    Date and place of the next meeting

     A P P E N D I X III

    DRAFT RESOLUTION (97) ...

    on the renewal of the European Diploma

    (Austria)

    The Committee of Ministers, under the terms of Article 15.a of the Statute of the Council of Europe,

    Having regard to Resolution (65) 6 instituting the European Diploma;

    Having regard to Resolution (67) 23 awarding the European Diploma to the Krimml Waterfalls Natural Site;

    Having regard to the proposals of the Bureau of the Committee for the Activities of the Council of Europe in the field of Biological and Landscape Diversity (BU-DBP);

    Renews the European Diploma awarded to the Krimml Waterfalls Natural Site in category C, until 27 October 2002;

    Attaches to the renewal the following recommendations, that:

1.    every effort be made to ensure that the Environment Department is consulted about any applications for planning permission for additional facilities, businesses or other constructions within sight of the Krimml Falls;

2.    any further installation or extension of businesses on the road leading to the Falls be definitely banned;

3.    the number of motorised shuttle services be limited to the two or three already in existence;

4.    the landscaping of the car-park, which is still an eyesore, be improved;

5.    the water-pipe carrying drinking water to the Schönangerln Inn be buried;

6.    the possibility of extending the boundaries of the protected area be considered, so that activities in the peripheral areas can be better controlled.

     A P P E N D I X IV

    DRAFT RESOLUTION (97) ...

    on the renewal of the European Diploma

    awarded to the Lunebourg Heath Nature Reserve

     (Germany)

    The Committee of Ministers, under the terms of Article 15a of the Statute of the Council of Europe,

    Having regard to Resolution (65) 6 instituting the European Diploma,

    Having regard to Resolution (67) 23 awarding the European Diploma to the Lunebourg Heath Nature Reserve;

    Renews the European Diploma awarded to Lunebourg Heath Nature Reserve in category B, until 25 October 2002;

    Renews the condition attached to the previous renewal (1992): that all oil or gas exploitation continue to be prohibited within the nature reserve;

    Attaches to the renewal the following recommendations, that:

1.    the effective implementation of the management and development plan be encouraged by making the necessary financial means available to those responsible for management;

2.    the implementation of the federal project "Lunebourger Heide" be continued;

3.    the "red zone" rehabilitation measures be extended to the 960 ha situated in the southern part (zone No. 3);

4.    the current boundaries of the award-winning area be extended to include the red zones;

5.    training and education work be expanded, and in particular that the establishment of a corps of "rangers" be made a priority;

6.    the objective of developing an additional information centre in Wilsede in the heart of the nature reserve be maintained;

7.    the ecological management of the forests be continued;

8.    the level in the water table continue to be closely monitored and an attempt be made to establish a link between an observed drop and the extraction of ground water.

     A P P E N D I X V

    DRAFT RESOLUTION (97)..

    awarded to the Muddus National Park

     (Sweden)

    The Committee of Ministers, under the terms of Article 15.a of the Statute of the Council of Europe,

    Having regard to Resolution (65) 6 instituting the European Diploma;

    Having regard to Resolution (67) 23 awarding the European Diploma to the Muddus National Park;

    Having regard to the proposals of the Bureau of the Committee for the activities of the Council of Europe in the field of biological and landscape diversity (BU-DBP);

    Renews the European Diploma awarded to the Muddus National Park in category A, until 27 October 2002;

    Attaches to the renewal the following recommendations, that:

1.    the number of wardens be increased, especially in summer, when the number of visitors rises, and in the hunting season, principally at the edges of the park;

2.    adequate budget resources be granted in order to maintain proper management of the park;

3.    the necessary measures be taken to ensure that the park's landscapes conserve all their natural characteristics, and in particular that no access be provided to the northern part of the park without access points;

4.    research work be continued, particularly as regards the monitoring of fauna populations; in this connection, it would be highly desirable to examine the impact of certain human activities on those populations;

5.    the possibility of actively involving the Samis in the management of the park be considered; it would be desirable to build greater awareness among these communities of the park's value for their everyday lives.

     A P P E N D I X VI

    DRAFT RESOLUTION (97) ...

    The Committee of Ministers, under the terms of Article 15.a of the Statute of the Council of Europe,

    Having regard to Resolution (65) 6 of the European Diploma;

    Having regard to Resolution (67) 23 awarding the European Diploma to the Sarek and Padjelanta National Parks;

    Having regard to the proposals of the Bureau of the Committee for the Activities of the Council of Europe in the field of Biological and Landscape Diversity (BU-DBP),

    Renews the European Diploma, awarded to the Sarek and Padjelanta National Parks in category A, until 27 October 2002;

    Attaches to the renewal the following recommendations, that:

1.    the plans featured in the "Nationalparksplan för Sverige" concerning the enlargement of Padjelanta and Sarek, which are likely to enhance the protected heritage of these parks, be carried through to completion as quickly as possible, and the Council of Europe be kept informed;

2.    it be ensured that budgetary resources are sufficient to maintain the high standard of the state of conservation of the parks;

3.    the management plan for Sarek National Park be finalised in consultation with the Samis;

4.    the Samis be fully involved in activities to protect this heritage, which is equally that of the Samis, Sweden and Europe;

5.    research be continued, in particular as regards the monitoring of animal populations; it would be desirable to study the impact of certain human activities on these populations.

     A P P E N D I X VII

    DRAFT RESOLUTION (97)..

    awarded to the Swiss National Park

     (Switzerland)

    The Committee of Ministers, under the terms of Article 15a of the Statute of the Council of Europe,

    Having regard to Resolution (65) 6 instituting the European Diploma;

    Having regard to Resolution (67) 23 awarding the European Diploma to the Swiss National Park;

    Having regard to the proposals of the Bureau of the Committee for the activities of the Council of Europe in the field of biological and landscape diversity (BU-DBP);

    Renews the European Diploma awarded to the Swiss National Park in category A, until 27 October 2002;

    Attaches to the renewal the following recommendations, that:

1.    the possibility of establishing a peripheral zone be studied;

2.    adequate co-operation with Stelvio National Park be developed with a view to ensuring, inter alia, consistent levels of protection;

3.    the signposting (park entrance) along the Offenpass route be brought into line with current norms, and that an impact study be carried out if the route is enlarged;

4.    the authorities seek to adapt the park centre so as to improve the presentation of attractive exhibits and, above all, make them accessible to the physically handicapped.

     A P P E N D I X VIII

     DRAFT RESOLUTION (97) ...

    On the Renewal of the European Diploma

    awarded to the Abruzzi National Park

     (Italy)

    The Committee of Ministers, under the terms of Article 15.a of the Statute of the Council of Europe,

    Having regard to Resolution (65) 6 instituting the European Diploma;

    Having regard to Resolution (67) 39 awarding the European Diploma to the Abruzzi National Park;

    Having regard to the proposals of the Bureau of the Committee for the Activities of the Council of Europe in the filed of Biological and Landscape Diversity (BU-DBP);

    Renews the European diploma, awarded to the Abruzzi National Park in category B, until 26 October 2002;

    Strongly reiterates the first recommendation made on the occasion of the previous renewal (Resolution (92) 7) to "apply strictly the obligation to provide the annual reports in due time";

    Attaches to the renewal the following recommendations to:

1.    ensure that a budget is agreed on time and sufficient funding is paid, taking into account the enlargement of the park's surface area, and that deadlines are met so that the park can be properly managed in the long term;

2.    take steps to clarify rangers' status, and give them long-term security, and properly clarify the role and responsibilities of the forestry staff working in the park;

3.    actively seek an agreement with the forest authorities in accordance with the provisions of the framework legislation on protected areas;

4.    continue to apply planning laws and regulations (for building, camping sites, etc) strictly;

5.    ban traffic from roads, trails and paths wherever wildlife and fauna protection so requires, in particular on the Camosciara road, and properly ban traffic from the Pescasseroli Pratorosso-Bisegna road;

6.    guarantee the long-term protection of water supplies both in quantative terms, avoiding excessive use, and in qualitative terms, by encouraging improvements to the treatment of waste water in villages located within the park;

7.    find solutions to the problems of revitalising and supporting traditional agriculture, particularly in the Giovenco Valley;

8.    retain and, if necessary, develop the role of the head office in Rome as a shop-window for the park and as a centre for promotion and co-ordination with the national authorities and other protected areas;

9.    strictly observe the conditions of the award of the European diploma, in particular that of sending annual progress reports on the park.

     A P P E N D I X IX

    DRAFT RESOLUTION (97) ...

     on the renewal of the European Diploma

    awarded to the Maremma Nature Park

    (Italy)

    The Committee of Ministers, under the terms of Article 15a of the Statute of the Council of Europe,

    Having regard to Resolution (65) 6 instituting the European Diploma;

    Having regard to Resolution (92) 17 on the award of the European Diploma to the Maremma Nature Park;

    Having regard to the proposals of the Bureau of the Committee for the Activities of the Council of Europe in the field of Biological and Landscape Diversity,

    Renews the European Diploma in category B, awarded to the Maremma Nature Park until 18 May 2002;

    Attaches to the renewal the following recommendations, to :

1.    devise and implement a wildlife management plan which gives priority to indigenous species and comprises urgent measures to limit the proliferation of deer;

2.    implement the measures necessary for substantially reducing the sources of pollution of the Fosso Razzo;

3.    pursue the development of a network of protected areas including the zones which are complementary to the Maremma Regional Park;

4.    monitor developments concerning the shore, avoid any intervention against erosion, which could have negative consequences for the natural values, and participate in the establishment of a basin agency for the Ombrone;

5.    encourage the introduction of protective measures on the park's inshore waters, by instigating, if possible, a ban on boating in a 200 metre strip from the shore;

6.    conserve fresh water resources and prevent their salinisation by limiting extractions;

7.    continue and intensify the park's information and educational activities, particularly by creating new information centres and guided tours;

8.    take all necessary measures to ensure optimum compatibility between agricultural activities and the preservation of the richness and diversity of the park's flora and fauna, by continuing and expanding the action already being conducted on these lines;

9.    complete and implement the revision of the zoning plan and forward the latter to the Council of Europe.

     A P P E N D I X X

    DRAFT RESOLUTION (97) ...

    concerning the renewal of the European Diploma

    (Portugal)

    The Committee of Ministers, under the terms of Article 15.a. of the Statute of the Council of Europe,

    Having regard to Resolution (65) 6 instituting the European Diploma;

    Having regard to Resolution (92) 18 awarding the European Diploma to the Selvagens Islands Nature Reserve;

    Having regard to the proposals of the Bureau of the Committee for the activities of the Council of Europe in the field of biological and landscape diversity,

    Renews the European Diploma in category A, awarded to the Selvagens Islands Nature Reserve until 18 May 2002;

    Attaches to the renewal the following condition:

    that the Selvagens Archipelago's current status of islands be maintained and that the Madeira Regional Government be supported in its decision to protect them and in all matters concerning the reserve, in accordance with the provisions of Act No 15/86 of 21 May 1986. The Secretariat of the Council of Europe should immediately be informed of any change in status;

    Attaches to the renewal the following recommendation:

    that the necessary measures be taken to monitor the development of non-indigenous species.

     A P P E N D I X XI

    DRAFT RESOLUTION (97) ...

    (Poland)

    The Committee of Ministers, under the terms of article 15.a of the Statute of the Council of Europe,

    Having regard to Resolution (65) 6 instituting the European Diploma;

    Having regard to the proposals of the Bureau of the Committee for the Activities of the Council of Europe in the Field of Biological and Landscape Diversity (BU-DBP);

    Having noted the agreement of the Government of Poland;

    Having deliberated;

    Solemnly awards the European Diploma in category A, to the Bialowieza National Park in accordance with the regulations for the European Diploma (Resolution (91) 16);

    Places the aforesaid area under the patronage of the Council of Europe until ...... 2002;

    Attaches to the award the following recommendations, that:

1.    the park's management plan be revised as soon as possible to take account of its expansion, an important issue for consideration when the Diploma is renewed, and its wide range of functions: scientific laboratory, education, information and tourism;

2.    the park be given sufficient financial resources to carry out its task and its activities, and for the development or restoration of its buildings and other facilities and equipment;

3.    park staff have an appropriate status in keeping with their task;

4.    permanent links, in the form of courses and placements, be developed with European university forestry departments, in order to encourage, or extend, scientific research;

5.    all overflying of the park at an altitude of less than 4 000 m be prohibited;

6.    dialogue be established between the authorities responsible for the parks in Belarus and Poland in order to co-ordinate research activities and to consider ways of achieving close co-operation in managing the primeval forest.

     A P P E N D I X XII

    DRAFT RESOLUTION (97) ...

    on the award of the European Diploma

    The Committee of Ministers, under the terms of Article 15.a of the Statute of the Council of Europe,

    Having regard to Resolution (65) 5 instituting the European Diploma;

    Having regard to the proposals of the Bureau of the Committee for the activities of the Council of Europe in the field of biological and landscape diversity (BU-DBP);

    Having noted the agreement of the Government of Ukraine;

    Having deliberated,

    Solemnly awards the European Diploma in category A, to the Carpathian Biosphere Reserve in accordance with the regulations for the European Diploma (Resolution (91) 16);

    Places the said area under the auspices of the Council of Europe until ...;

    Attaches to the award the following conditions, that:

1.    sufficient resources (material and financial) be provided to permit the proper functioning of the reserve and the pursuit of scientific research;

2.    any privatisation measures taken have no negative impact on the status of the reserve and its surrounding areas;

3.    hunting be prohibited in the reserve;

    Attaches to the award the following recommendations, that:

1.    a development and management plan be drawn up for the six core areas making up the reserve and their surroundings;

2.    public education and information efforts (open-air museum) be stepped up;

3.    the innovation that the biosphere reserve represents in buffer zones and settled areas be extended to model regions with a view to putting sustainable development into practice. The Rakhiv district is particularly suited to serve as a model region;

4.    interconnection of the various protected sites be promoted in the eastern part through the creation of suitable corridors;

5.    institutions involved in environmental research, and particularly in research on virgin forests be invited to make their wealth of experience known, including at international level. To this end it is proposed that joint research programmes involving Western and Central European research institutions be conducted on a more regular basis;

6.    international co-operation on nature and landscape protection and sustainable development be promoted within the Carpathians themselves;    

7.    the management of the different areas of the reserve be co-ordinated.

     A P P E N D I X XIII

    DRAFT RESOLUTION (97) ...

    on the award of the European Diploma

    to Port-Cros National Park

     (France)

    The Committee of Ministers, under the terms of Article 15a of the Statute of the Council of Europe;

    Having regard to Resolution (65) 6 instituting the European Diploma;

    Having regard to the proposals of the Bureau of the Council of Europe Committee for Activities on Biological and Landscape Diversity (BU-DBP);

    Having noted the agreement of the French Government;

    After having deliberated,

    Solemnly awards the European Diploma in category B, in accordance with the Regulations for the European Diploma (Resolution (91) 16);

    Places the aforesaid area under the patronage of the Council of Europe until ... 2000;

    Attaches to the award the following recommendations, that:

1.    the protection status of the marine park's marine area be improved through the following specific measures:

a.    development of Portman bay (installation of mooring facilities to obviate anchoring; restrictions on number of craft or time in harbour to avoid crowding; redefinition of the protected bands to safeguard the Posidonia);

b.    extension of the non-anchorage areas, especially on the southern side;

c.    conversion of the Diving Charter into an official regulation demarcating as envisaged the diving-only, ie no-fishing sites, and by allowing only one diver's boat per site;

d.    effective regulation of commercial fishing by maintaining moderate fishing with a control system based on size and quantity and abolishing non-selective methods liable to affect the sea perch or other protected species;

e.    monitoring of water quality around the island, eg by extending the "musselwatch" applied in the region;

2.    the park management methods be maintained, and reinforced if development and management plans are approved as envisaged by the end of 1996. The plans should be in force by the end of 1997;

3.    the sewage treatment system be improved;

4.    certain visual features of the port which are incongruous in the unique setting of a national park be enhanced, particularly by reduction of advertising signboards; although the status as a classified site is already high, it could be further improved;

5.    a compilation be made of the texts governing the park's marine and landscape areas;

6.    the visual aspects of forest management be improved by distributing the dead wood more naturally, while still ensuring that fire danger is reduced to a minimum;

7.    efforts to eradicate invading species such as Caulerpa taxifolia be continued;

8.    research efforts be maintained, keeping the focus on conservation-related aspects with, if possible, recognition at international level; in this connection, co-operation with other Mediterranean countries should be strengthened;

9.    park users' contribution to upkeep and management costs be increased by raising the surcharges (levied on admission and mooring fees);

10.    there be intensified public relations work to make visitors, yachtsmen, etc. realise the attractiveness of the island's natural and cultural heritage but also its vulnerability.

     A P P E N D I X XIV

    DRAFT RESOLUTION (97) ...

    on the award of the European Diploma

    (Republic of Belarus)

    The Committee of Ministers, under the terms of Article 15.a of the Statute of the Council of Europe,

    Having regard to Resolution (65) 6 instituting the European Diploma;

    Having regard to the proposals of the Bureau of the Committee for the Activities of the Council of Europe in the Field of Biological and Landscape Diversity (BU-DBP);

    Having recorded the agreement of the Government of the Republic of Belarus;

    After deliberation;

    Solemnly awards the European Diploma in category A, to the Belovezhskaya Pushcha National Park in accordance with the regulations for the European Diploma (Resolution (91) 16);

    Places the aforesaid protected area under the patronage of the Council of Europe until ...... 2002.

    Attaches to the award the following conditions, that:

1.    a management plan be drawn up within three years, dealing in particular with:

.    the management of herbivores,

.    the use of the park by the public, inter alia the plan should define the objectives pursued, the principles and criteria underlying the development of the area and the types of activities that could be undertaken there;

2.    the present size of the central areas be maintained, as well as the prohibition of any human intervention other than for reasons of scientific research.

    Attaches to the award the following recommendations, that:

1.    a plan for the re-establishment of Cypripedium calceolus and Astrantia major be drawn up and introduced, and the research started into the state of conservation of plants be continued;

2.    a start be made on necessary research into the effects of fishing and of the restocking of the park's watercourses and lakes on the indigenous aquatic populations, so as to determine criteria for the management of these resources;

3.    ongoing monitoring of the forest communities be continued and, if necessary, corrective action be taken in respect of the practical management of natural resources;

4.    knowledge of the biology of the bison be improved so that the populations are properly conserved and managed;

5.    studies of the insect species represented be started and their conservation status determined;

6.    the visitors' centre be given educational and recreational roles consistent with the objectives of conserving biological and landscape diversity;

7.    the contribution allotted by the administration to the park's budget be maintained and increased to enable the park to achieve the objectives set for it;

8.    as far as possible, the number of guides be increased and the scientific team strengthened;

9.    ecological corridors between the central areas be created;

10.    a forum for discussions between the Republic of Belarus and Poland be set up in order to co-ordinate research activities and study the scope for moving towards the introduction of very close co-operation on ecosystem management in the wooded massif of Belovezhskaya Pushcha (Belarus) and Bialowieza (Poland), inter alia it would be desirable to consider the scope for removing the fences preventing the free movement of large mammals in this wooded massif.