Strasbourg, 3 December 1993                                                         T-PVS (93) 48

[s:\tpvs93\tpvs48E.93]

      CONVENTION ON THE CONSERVATION OF EUROPEAN WILDLIFE

                                                   AND NATURAL HABITATS

                                                          Standing Committee

                                                                 13th meeting

                                      Strasbourg, 29 November - 3 December 1993

                                                                          

                                                                          

REPORT

Secretariat Memorandum

established by the

Directorate of Environment

and Local Authorities

PRELIMINARY NOTE:  SUMMARY OF DECISIONS TAKEN

1.         The Standing Committee held its 13th meeting from 29 November to 3 December 1993 in Strasbourg. The list of participants and the agenda appear in Appendices 1 and 2 to this document.

2.         In accordance with Article 14, paragraph 1, the Standing Committee followed the application of the Convention, and the Chairman and Vice-Chairman were elected.

3.         The Committee welcomed the invitation of the Committee of Ministers to Belarus, Monaco, Moldova and Ukraine to accede to the Convention. The Committee took note with satisfaction of the ratification of the Convention by Iceland, Malta, and Romania.

            The Committee suggested that the Committee of Ministers invite Andorra to accede to the Convention.

4.         The Committee decided unanimously to invite the following states to attend its 14th meeting:  Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Belarus, Cape Verde, the Holy See, Latvia, Mauritania, Moldova, Monaco, Morocco, Russian Federation, Tunisia and Ukraine.

5.         The Committee amended Appendix I of the Convention, adding a number of plant species from Azores, Madeira and the Canary Islands.

6.         The Committee discussed the possible new role of the Bern Convention in relation to the Biological Diversity Convention, which is to enter into force on 29 December 1993, and on the enlargement of the Convention to Eastern Europe and Africa and concluded that

both Conventions would benefit from coordinating their activities.

7.         The Committee discussed a procedure to verify the implementation and follow up of its recommendations, and on the opening and closing of files and decided to apply it provisionally pending its final adoption.

8.         The Committee adopted a resolution on the scope of Articles 8 and 9 of the Convention and three recommendations on the elaboration of conservation and recovery plans for plant species in Appendix I of the Convention, on the conservation of freshwater fish, and on the conservation of some threatened amphibians and reptiles in the area of Gulf of Orosei (Italy), as well as guidelines on recovery plans for species of amphibians and reptiles.

9.         The Committee discussed the situation of marine turtles in Laganas Bay (Zakynthos) and concluded that Greece had not met her obligations towards the Convention on this issue.  The Committee instructed the Secretariat to accept the invitation of the Greek authorities to meet in order to work out a solution that would permit the implementation of the Convention.

10.       The Committee took different steps to improve protection of the badger (Meles meles), freshwater fish and threatened plants, amphibians and reptiles of Central and Eastern Europe. It discussed on the lists of threatened habitats of Europe and on habitats of particular importance for invertebrates.  It also discussed the situation of several species that require conservation attention, such as Bufo viridis (in Leimen, Germany), tortoises (in Maures, France), marine turtles (in Patara, Turkey), bears (in the French Pyrenees), Bufo calamita (in the Dingle Peninsula, Ireland), and several reptiles (in Totes Moor, Lower Saxony, Germany). The situation of the Missolonghi wetland (Greece) and the heathlands of Dorset (United Kingdom) were also discussed.

11.       The Committee approved a work programme and budget for 1994, using FFR 700.000 provided for annually by the Committee of Ministers, some FFR 100.000 remaining in the Convention's special fund and new donations to be made by Contracting Parties.

12.       The Committee decided to hold its 14th meeting in March or April 1995.

13.       The Committee wished, in particular, to launch a very strong appeal to the Committee of Ministers regarding the difficulties in implementing the work of the Convention due to lack of sufficient human and financial resources allocated by the Council of Europe to this activity.  The Committee discussed at length whether to meet on a biennial basis to alleviate the work overload in the Secretariat but it was suggested that this decision might be misinterpreted politically as lack of interest by the Parties.  The Standing Committee asked the Committee of Ministers to consider carefully this issue and provide an answer to their request.

            As provided for in Article 15, the Standing Committee forwarded to the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe the report on its work and on the functioning of the Convention.

            The short report will have annexed:

            - Abbreviated list of participants

            - Agenda

            - Amendments to Appendix I

            - Resolution No. 2

            - Recommendations Nos. 40 to 42

            - Programme and budget.

CONTENTS

                                                                                                                         page

List of points discussed and decisions taken (summary report for

Committee of Ministers)...................................................................................... 2

Report of the meeting.......................................................................................... 5

Appendices

1.         List of participants................................................................................. 28

2.         Agenda................................................................................................... 36

3.         List of species added to Appendix I...................................................... 38

4.         Opening and closing of files.  Follow-up of recommendations........... 42

5.         Guidelines for the recovery plans for species of amphibians and reptiles................................................................................................................ 46

6.         Resolution No. 2 on the scope of Articles 8 and 9 of the Convention ................................................................................................................ 51

7.         Recommendation No. 40 (1993) on the conservation or recovery plans for

            species in Appendix I of the Convention ............................................ 56

8.         Annotated Appendix II (Recommendation No. 39 (1993))................ 58

9.         Draft proposal for amendment of Appendix IV for freshwater fish and

            for crayfish (Decapoda) ........................................................................ 66

10.       Recommendation No. 41 (1993) on the conservation of freshwater fish ................................................................................................................ 67

11.       Recommendation No. 42 (1993) on the conservation of some threatened

            amphibians and reptiles in the area of Gulf of Orosei, Sardinia (Italy)  69

12.       Guidelines for the contents of a general report by the Parties to

            the Convention...................................................................................... 70

13.       1994 and 1995 Programme and Budget............................................... 73

PART I - GENERAL

1.         Opening of the meeting and adoption of the agenda (T-PVS (93) 2 and T-PVS (93) 28)

           

            The 13th meeting of the Committee was opened by the Chairman, Mr Jean Renault, who welcomed participants (see Appendix 1), especially the delegations from Malta and Romania which were attending a Convention meeting for the first time.

            The Chairman congratulated Iceland, Malta and Romania on their ratification. He was very sorry that the delegations of some Contracting Parties were not present at the meeting.

            The agenda was adopted as it appears in Appendix 2.

2.         Chairman's report and communications from the delegations and from the Secretariat.

            Reports from new Contracting Parties (T-PVS (93) 12, T-PVS (93) 26, T-PVS (93) 19)

           

            The Chairman presented his annual report (see T-PVS (93) 47).  The Bureau of the Standing Committee had held two fruitful meetings, partly devoted to decisions on "specific cases".  The problem of funding activities was unfortunately becoming more acute and it had not been possible to complete the programme as scheduled.  At the same time, the Council of Europe's role as a catalyst and promoter of conservation of the natural heritage in Europe was constantly highlighted, as shown in the conclusions of the Lucerne Pan-European Conference and the EECONET meeting in Maastricht.  He pointed out that the Vienna Conference did not undertake engagements on the environment and believed that was a matter for thought.

            Iceland, which had just ratified the Bern Convention, provided a comprehensive description of its national programme and its activities on environmental protection (see T‑PVS (93) 47).

            Romania referred to its report sent to the Secretariat (T-PVS (93) 37) and added that a major law on protecting the Danube delta had been passed; a convention on the protection of the Black Sea was also due to enter into force.

            The delegate of Malta expressed the view that it had taken some time for his state to ratify the Bern Convention.  However, that time was essential to obtain the political, social and legal backing before ratifying the Convention.  This had been achieved during the last couple of months and the latest publication of bird protection regulations had completed all necessary regulations to enable them to honour all the obligations of the Convention.  Malta looked forward to collaborating with all the other Parties to the Convention to achieve its aims, following the deposition of instruments of ratification on Friday 26 November 1993.

            The European Commission presented a report on the protection of natural habitats, referring in particular to Natura 2000 (T-PVS (93) 47).

            In a general declaration, Switzerland pleaded the case of nature conservation, pointing out the contrast between the expanding programmes of activity and the reduced resources made available to the Council of Europe Environment Division.  It also appealed to the different countries to provide funding for the Convention and pledged a new Swiss contribution of 170,000 FF for 1994 (T-PVS (93) 47).

            The Czech Republic would shortly deposit its instrument of ratification.

            The Russian Federation was actively preparing its country's accession.

            Slovakia hoped to be able to ratify in 1994.

            The Principality of Monaco would now be able to accede, thanks to the decision by the Committee of Ministers to invite it to join.

            The United Kingdom delegation highlighted the "Species Recovery Programme" which targeted help on 22 species of plants and animals in 1993 (T-PVS (93) 47).

            BirdLife International described the new objectives of its organisation (formerly known as ICBP) (T-PVS (93) 47).

            Mr M. Smart, Assistant Secretary General of the Ramsar Convention, reported on Ramsar's European activities.  Bern and Ramsar were already cooperating over Mediterranean wetland matters (agenda item 5.1.3) and, as most European countries were Contracting Parties to Ramsar, there were many possibilities for further cooperation, in particular on wetland management in Central and Eastern Europe.  Ramsar, with financial support form the French Government, had already assisted the Bulgarian authorities to draw up a National Wetland Plan, and hoped to cooperate with Poland in defining a national wetland strategy.  Hungary was regional representative for Eastern Europe on the Standing Committee with the Russian Federation as alternate;  Spain was representative for Western Europe with Germany as alternate.  Hungary had been elected to chair the Committee (the first time the Committee had had a European chair), and would host a meeting of Ramsar's Eastern European region in March 1994, and the next Ramsar Standing Committee meeting in October 1994.  A new post of Technical Officer for Europe would be established in the Ramsar Bureau in early 1994.

            The Secretariat intimated that, with the approval of the Bureau (T-PVS (93) 26), it had taken part in a meeting of experts on environmental legislation relating to specially protected areas and threatened species in the Mediterranean (Ustica, Italy, 16-18 September 1993), organised by the Regional Activity Centre for specially protected areas (RAC/SPA) in Tunis, as part of the Mediterranean Action Plan.  This had provided an opportunity to make contacts with Mediterranean coastal States and, according to the proposals appended to the meeting report, co-ordination should be arranged between the Protocol on specially protected areas (SPA) in the Mediterranean and other international treaties entailing the creation of protected areas or the protection of habitats or wildlife applicable to the Mediterranean.  The Secretariat thought that it would therefore be advisable to intensify co-operation between the Bern Convention and the SPA Protocol, particularly by:

            -           participation at meetings of the Standing Committee, with observer status, by Mediterranean coastal States not Parties to the Bern Convention;

            -           regular exchange of information between the two Secretariats;

            -           joint studies and organisation of joint seminars.

            The possibility of opening the Bern Convention to accession by Mediterranean coastal States should also be considered.

            Closer ties had also been forged with the Ramsar Convention, for example in connection with MedWet, and with the Bonn Convention.

            The Secretariat reported on the conclusions of two conferences of particular importance for the Bern Convention.

            The Lucerne pan-European Conference (April 1993): "An Environment for Europe", at which the Council of Europe was asked to play a coordinating function for nature conservation activities and to develop;

            -           programmes relating to protected areas and environmental management outside protected areas,

            -           environment-friendly tourist projects,

            -           information, education and training.

            The Bern Convention had been explicitly mentioned on several occasions as the most appropriate instrument for the protection and management of biological diversity in Europe.

            As to the pan-European Conference in Maastricht, extremely well organised by the Netherlands government with the support of Hungary, it was devoted to the creation of a "European ecological network" and in its conclusions, the Council of Europe was requested to:

            "set up coordinating machinery to develop a European strategy for biological and landscape diversity and a European ecological network ... as a follow-up to the European Conservation Strategy ...".

            250 participants from over 30 countries had attended this conference.

            The Bureau had met on two occasions, on 30 March 1993 (T-PVS (93) 12) and on 2 September 1993 (T-PVS (93) 26), mainly to adapt the working programme to new events and to prepare the draft agenda of this 13th meeting. Many of the reports that had been included in the 1993 working programme had not been carried out by lack of financial means. Apart from a generous contribution from Switzerland, the appeal for voluntary funds had not been very successful as all the other Parties had contributed with less than 25,000 French Francs to the Convention by 22 November 1993 (less than 2.5 % of the budget for 1993).

            The symposium "UNCED, the Biological Diversity Convention and the Bern Convention: the next steps" had been postponed until 1994 as an interim secretariat for the Biological Diversity Convention was recruited only after the summer.

            The Secretariat presented some documents of general interest, a general paper on the legal contents of the Convention (T-PVS (93) 11), the updated appendices (T-PVS (93) 16) and the Convention's chart of signatures (T-PVS (93) 27).

3.         Development of the Convention

            3.1       Progress of the Convention in Africa and Eastern Europe.  Results of seminars                (T-PVS (93) 7, T-PVS (93) 23)

            Two seminars were held to examine the extension and implementation of the Convention in two geographical areas: Central and Eastern Europe (Budapest, 15‑18 February 1993) and North-West Africa (Dakar, 21-24 June 1993).

            The Secretariat reported that the Workshop on nature conservation in Central and Eastern Europe had been organised to review the problems which the countries of Central and Eastern Europe may encounter in adapting their national laws and policies to the obligations of the Convention and adapting the work programme to the conservation problems of Central and Eastern Europe.

            The role which the Bern Convention was destined to play in that part of the world was amply demonstrated.  The participants of Central and East European States not yet Parties to the Convention showed particular interest in the various aspects of implementing the Convention (recommendations, reports, studies etc).  The questions relating to the adaptation of the appendices to the Convention, with a view to taking account of the quantitative and qualitative differences in States with regard to their animal and plant species, were thoroughly examined and the opportunity of making reservations at the time of accession was pointed out.  The Estonian delegate drew attention to a problem resulting from the fact that his country had acceded to the Convention without reservations, whereas certain species were abundant in its territory.  The representatives of different Contracting Parties explained the method that had been adopted to bring their legislation into conformity with the undertakings of the Convention and pointed out that the various supervisory mechanisms provided under the Convention - system of files and adoption of recommendations - had proved very useful.  Although certain participants had referred to the economic and financial difficulties facing their countries, all indicated that they would recommend their authorities to accede to the Convention.  Romania had in fact since become a Contracting Party to the Convention.  The Workshop closed with the adoption of conclusions containing certain co-operation projects to be followed up.  It was proposed in particular that the Standing Committee should:

            -           identify the problems encountered in applying the Convention and consider organising a second workshop to discuss these matters;

            -           organise appropriate training courses for jurists and for managers;

            -           speed up the adaptation of the Convention's appendices to Europe as a whole.

            The Standing Committee took note with interest all of these proposals and thanked Hungary for its hospitality and for the excellent preparation of the meeting.

            The Secretariat presented the results of the Euro-African Seminar on cooperation on nature conservation with North and North-West Africa (Dakar, 21-24 June 1993). Participants had expressed the wish that collaboration with those states be developed in four particular areas:

            -           institutional support (re-enforcement of cooperation among North and South administrations, fixing of priorities and working activities that may be of particular interest to African states, etc.)

            -           technical support (provision of appropriate technology and know-how in nature conservation to Africa, training of African experts, cooperation in the legal field, etc.)

            -           financial support (both bilateral and through international institutions, such as the Bern Convention and the Global Environment Facility)

            -           support to projects (need to develop specific projects - approved by the Standing Committee - to channel precise technical and financial support).

            The Committee took note of the above suggestions and decided to take them into account while setting priorities for the future work of the Convention.  The Committee thanked Senegal for the excellent preparation of the meeting.

            3.2       Strategic issues:  what to do next ? Relationship with the Convention on Biological Diversity and other international legal instruments  (T-PVS (93) 21)

            The Secretariat said that, at the request of the Bureau (meeting of 30 March 1993, T‑PVS (93) 12, item 4b), it had prepared a document entitled "Connections and comparisons between the Bern Convention of 19 September 1979 on the conservation of European wildlife and natural habitats and the Rio de Janeiro Convention of 5 June 1992 on Biological Diversity; Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora".  According to the Action 21 Programme adopted in Rio de Janeiro on 14 June 1992, governments are invited, in collaboration with intergovernmental organisations, to encourage cooperation between the Contracting Parties of relevant international conventions and action plans, to intensify support for regional instruments, programmes and action plans concerning the conservation of biological diversity and the sustainable use of biological resources, and to foster better international co-ordination of measures taken to ensure improved conservation of migratory species.  The Secretariat highlighted the following points:

-           with regard to the purpose of the three texts, certain obligations deriving from the notion of sustainable use, as a corollary of conservation, are already implied, although not expressly mentioned, in the Bern Convention.  These could therefore be more clearly defined on the basis of elements contained in the Convention on Biological Diversity;

-           regarding the geographical scope of the texts, the Convention on Biological Diversity may be regarded as the framework convention of which the Bern Convention is a regional implementing instrument for wildlife and natural habitats in Europe;

-           with regard to connections between the texts:

.           between the two conventions: since the Convention on Biological Diversity provides in Article 23 that the Conference of the Parties shall "contact, through the Secretariat, the executive bodies of conventions dealing with matters covered by this Convention with a view to establishing appropriate forms of cooperation with them" and, in Article 24, that the Secretariat should arrange cooperation with the other competent international bodies and, in particular, conclude administrative arrangements and contracts which might be necessary in order to perform its duties effectively, it is particularly appropriate that the Secretariats of the two conventions should get together and work out "appropriate forms of co-operation";

.           between the Bern Convention and the EEC Directive: since the EEC Directive, adopted 13 years after the Bern Convention, is in certain respects fuller and more specific, the Standing Committee should consider the possible adaptation of the Convention in order that all Contracting Parties may benefit from the same standard of protection of their biodiversity.

-           Generally speaking, with regard to the provisions spelt out in the Convention on Biological Diversity and in the EEC Directive and which, albeit implicitly, come within the scope of the Bern Convention, the Standing Committee should develop these by means of recommendations and resolutions and consider the possibility of amending the Convention.  The relevant provisions concern questions relating to: anticipation and prevention; the principle of precaution; co-operation in critical situations; certain aspects of identification and surveillance; environmental impact assessments/studies and reduction of harmful effects; certain aspects of the use and release of organisms and the introduction and reintroduction of species; incentives; liability; certain aspects of in situ conservation (natural habitats whose conservation requires the designation of special areas of conservation; animal and plant species whose conservation requires the designation of special areas of conservation and the criteria for selecting sites eligible for identification and designation as special areas of conservation); ex situ conservation.

            The Secretariat proposed that the Standing Committee examine these questions and instruct it to prepare a document containing recommendations with a view to including in the work programme of the Convention certain provisions of the Convention on Biological Diversity, while taking account of the EEC Directive and in the light of the conclusions of

the Symposium on the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) and the development of the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Bern Convention: the next steps", due to be held in Monaco from 18 to 20 April 1994.

            After a discussion at the close of which it was decided that it was not necessary to take into account the EEC Directive, the Standing Committee considered that the Monaco Symposium would provide an opportunity to reflect on ways and means of forging closer links between the Biological Diversity and Bern Conventions.  It instructed the Secretariat, in the light of the results of the Monaco Symposium, to prepare a document containing proposals for changes in the work programme of the Bern Convention designed to bring it more into line with the provisions of the Convention on Biological Diversity.

           

            3.3       States invited to accede to the Convention and states to be invited as observers to the 14th meeting

            The Secretariat announced that, at the Committee's proposal, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe had invited the following states in 1993 to accede to the Convention:  Belarus, Monaco and Ukraine, but not Croatia.  In recent years, other states had been invited to accede to the Convention:  Albania, Latvia, Moldova, Morocco, Russia and Tunisia.

            The Standing Committee proposed that the Committee of Ministers invite Andorra to accede to the Convention.

            The Committee decided unanimously to invite the following states, not member states of the Council of Europe, to its 14th meeting:

                        - Albania                     - Holy See                   - Morocco

                        - Algeria                      - Latvia                       - Russia

                        - Andorra                   - Mauritania               - Tunisia

                        - Belarus                      - Moldova                   - Ukraine

                        - Cape Verde              - Monaco

4.         Legal aspects

            4.1       Amendments to Appendix I (for flora of Azores, Madeira and the Canary Islands).  Proposal for annotation of the Appendices

                        (T-PVS (93) 6, T-PVS (93) 20)

            The Standing Committee examined and adopted the amendments to Appendix I presented by Portugal and Spain to include species from the Macaronesian Region (Azores, Madeira, Canary Islands). The new species added are found in Appendix 3 to this report.                   

            The Secretariat presented a proposal to update taxonomically the Appendices of the Convention. The Committee discussed the proposal and decided to adopt a recommendation which would permit a better taxonomical interpretation of the Convention (see Appendix 8).

            4.2       Interpretation of Articles 8 and 9 (T-PVS (93) 17)

            The Secretariat reminded the Standing Committee that, at its last meeting, it had decided to submit to Contracting Parties a document on the interpretation of Articles 8 and 9 of the Convention [T-PVS (92) 44 revised (final)], inviting a working party of jurists to establish a revised version.  The latter had accordingly amended the document, on 29 June 1993, drawing on the observations communicated by the Parties and had proposed a draft resolution.  The Secretariat presented the report concerned and the "draft Resolution on the scope of Articles 8 and 9 of the Bern Convention", appended thereto.  He invited the Standing Committee to examine the text and, if it so desired, to adopt the draft Resolution.

            The Standing Committee made two corrections:  paragraph 16b of the report:  "exceptions to the prohibition of the use of", to replace "exceptions to the possibility of using";  paragraph c of the draft Resolution: "individuals of a species" instead of "individuals of a population of a species"), and adopted the report and draft Resolution as amended (see Appendix 6).

            4.3       Draft resolutions on species requiring specific habitat conservation measures and on endangered natural habitats requiring specific conservation measures

                        (T-PVS (93) 29, T-PVS (94) 1)

            In its Resolution No. 1 (1989) on the conservation of habitats, the Standing Committee resolved to identify species requiring specific habitat conservation measures.  The Secretariat and the groups of experts have made proposals concerning mammals, amphibians, reptiles and invertebrates.  The group of experts on plant conservation adopted a slightly different approach and provided a list of species requesting priority conservation action. The Secretariat presented, for information, a draft resolution on species requiring specific habitat conservation measures. RSPB (BirdLife) informed on the progress of a similar list for birds which was foreseen for 1994.

            The Committee discussed the issue and decided that this activity was to be finished as soon as possible, so that special conservation action could be targeted on these species.  Some delegations expressed the wish that the list should not be too long and that the part on herpetiles be consistent with the part on mammals (by mentioning the states where habitat conservation for a certain species is required.  The Committee decided that the list should be completed with birds, and sent to the Parties for comment, so that it may be discussed and adopted at a further meeting.  It was also decided that the preamble of the recommendation would contain a paragraph stating that other measures may be needed to manage the listed species.

            Regarding endangered natural habitats requiring specific conservation measures, the consultant, Mr Pierre Devillers, presented a report containing a classification of palaearctic habitats and a preliminary list of priority habitats in Council of Europe member States. Due to its great volume and late arrival the report had not been printed for the meeting. The Committee decided that Contracting Parties would be asked in writing to submit their comments, so that a draft recommendation may be prepared for a meeting of the Committee.

            4.4       Implementation of the Convention by Contracting Parties: files and follow-up of recommendations.  A case study on Recommendations 6, 13 and 33

                        (T-PVS (93) 22, T-PVS (93) 24)

            The Secretariat referred to the previous meeting at which three NGOs (WWF, RSPB and SEH) had submitted a proposal concerning follow-up action on the application of recommendations by the Standing Committee and the opening/closing of files on "specific sites".  At the same meeting, the Committee had instructed the Secretariat to draw up a new proposal after consulting the Parties.  The Secretariat introduced its proposal, the observations communicated by the Parties and observer States and case studies on the application of three recommendations.  The Committee was invited to discuss the questions drawn to its attention and to decide on a clear procedure for dealing with files and following up recommendations.

            After adopting various amendments and at the request of the European Union which preferred to examine the document more thoroughly, the Standing Committee considered it preferable to postpone to its next meeting the final decision to adopt the procedures for the follow-up and implementation of the Convention as amended.  It nevertheless decided to apply these provisionally, as amended (see Appendix 4) until a final decision on the matter had been taken.

            4.5       Group of experts on the legal aspects of the introduction and reintroduction of wild species (T-PVS (93) 14)

            The Committee heard a report on the preliminary work of the Group of experts on legal aspects of introduction and reintroduction of wildlife species which had met from 17 to 19 March 1993.  The report was introduced by the Group Chairman, Mr Gabór Nechay (Hungary), who pointed out that a questionnaire on national and community legislation and practices applicable to the introduction and reintroduction of wildlife species had been sent to the Contracting Parties and to observer states and that the replies should reach the Secretariat by February 1994.

            He invited the Committee to take note of the report and to consider whether it should commission a legal consultant to carry out a study on the introduction, reintroduction and repopulation of animal and plant species, and to make any pertinent observations on this activity.

            The United Kingdom delegate indicated his support for the initiatives proposed by the Group of Experts and noted that it was important to develop activities in this field in order to minimise damage and maximise the advantages which could result from the introduction and reintroduction of wild species.  He reported that a motion highlighting the role played by international organisations in this respect would be submitted as part of a general motion for the next meeting of the General Assembly of IUCN.

            The Standing Committee approved the proposal that a consultant should be commissioned to carry out the proposed study, while amending the terms of reference.  Lastly, it noted that the Group of Experts would meet again in 1995 and not in 1994.

            The delegate of Germany disagreed with this proposal.  He pointed out that there is no necessity for carrying out the study by a consultant, because the group of experts itself will be engaged in this matter.

            4.6       Biennial reports.  Draft guidelines for four-yearly reports (T-PVS (93) 25)

Biennial reports

            The Secretariat announced that, by the end of September 1993, biennial reports for the period 1991-92 had been received from the following countries:

- Belgium                    - Denmark      - Netherlands             - Portugal        - Sweden

- Burkina Faso            - Germany      - Norway                    - Senegal         - United Kingdom

            Since that date, reports had been received from Bulgaria, the European Community, Finland and Spain but, in accordance with what had been agreed at the previous meeting, it was not yet possible to examine the reports as a whole.

            Four-yearly reports

            In accordance with what had been decided by the Committee at its previous meeting, the Netherlands delegation presented draft guidelines for the preparation of general reports on the application of the Convention which are to be submitted by Contracting Parties every four years, the first with the next 1993-94 Biennial Reports (model in Appendix 12).

            After revision by a working party comprising the delegations of Bulgaria, Hungary, United Kingdom, Germany, Norway and the Netherlands, the Standing Committee adopted the "guidelines for drafting a general report by Contracting Parties to the Bern Convention" and decided that these should be submitted with biennial reports.

PART II - THREATENED SPECIES AND HABITATS

5.         Threatened species and habitats

            5.1       Seminars and groups of experts

            5.1.1    Seminar on the management of populations of threatened mammals (Sofia)

                        (T-PVS (93) 35)

            The Seminar was held in Sofia from 25 to 28 October 1993. The delegate from Bulgaria, Mr Spiridonov, presented the conclusions of the meeting. Many species of mammals, particularly carnivores, have endangered populations in the territory of many Contracting Parties. Some of these populations are spread in neighbouring countries, so that they need to be managed in common by several states within the framework of international conventions. The experts proposed guidelines for the conservation of European mammals. Those guidelines contained lists of species that were considered to be good candidates for recovery plans. The Committee discussed the guidelines and thought that they might be the basis for a recommendation.  It instructed the Secretariat to circulate them for comment by delegations, as some of them had expressed reserves concerning some species in their states and they contained some technical errors.

            As for the list including suggestions for species to be added to Appendix II, the Secretariat informed the Committee that a full report on the state of European mammals was being written by Mr de Beaufort for the Council of Europe as a follow-up to the Lucerne Ministerial Conference.  With the information contained in that report the Secretariat offered to prepare a document containing an informal proposal for amendment of Appendix II for mammals.  The document would be circulated to Parties for comment, so that a more formal proposal could be presented.  It was so decided.

            The Committee thanked Bulgaria for the excellent organisation of the seminar.

            The Secretariat presented the follow-up of Recommendation No. 6 (1988) on monk seal protection (T-PVS (93) 24).  In its opinion the Convention should be more active in this field where much advance had been made.  The delegate of France asked the Secretariat to participate in the Scientific Committee for the captive reproduction of the species.  The Committee instructed the Secretariat to do so and to contact the Community to see what could be done regarding the impact of fishing by Community vessels on the coast of the Sahara occupied by the most important population of the species.  Greece and Turkey were asked to continue implementing the recommendation.

            The delegate of Greece referred to the establishment of the National Marine Park of Alonnissos-Northern Sporades for the protection of the Monk seal (Presidential Decree, dated 16 May 1992).  Furthermore, she referred to the National Programme as well as to the Specific Programme for the above-mentioned Marine Park, covering activities on the monitoring and research of the Monk seal population, the operatiion of a rehabilitation Centre, information and public awareness and the patrolling of the Marine Park area.

            5.1.2    Seminar on recovery plans for species of amphibians and reptiles (El Hierro)

                        (T-PVS (93) 34)

            The delegate of Spain and the Secretariat presented the results of the seminar, held in El Hierro (Canary Islands) from 11 to 14 October 1993. Different examples of recovery plans being carried out in Europe were presented at the meeting. The experts proposed some guidelines for the design and implementation of recovery plans for species of amphibians and reptiles, as well as a list of species requiring those plans.

            The Committee took note of the guidelines presented, instructed the Group on amphibians and reptiles to keep working in that direction and asked the Secretariat to present the results of the seminar to the Group of experts on amphibians and reptiles.

            The guidelines for the conservation of amphibians and reptiles are found in Appendix 5 to this report.

            5.1.3    Workshop on management of Mediterranean wetlands. Meeting of MEDWET

                        (T-PVS (93) 4)

            Mr Smart, Deputy Secretary General to the Ramsar Convention presented the results of the above meetings, held respectively in Ria Formosa, Portugal (12-15 November 1992) and Camargue, France (18-20 November 1993). Part of the coordination of the international work in conservation of Mediterranean wetlands is now being channelled through the MedWet initiative. Its first phase consists of a three-year programme, financed by EEC, which is managed by the governments of the five Mediterranean states together with the European Commission, the Ramsar Convention Bureau, WWF, the International Wetlands Research Bureau and the Tour de Valat Station (France). MedWet has five sub-projects (Management, Inventories, Training, Public Awareness and Research) which are advancing at good speed. After the conclusion of this preparatory phase, MedWet will be extended to other Mediterranean states, once appropriate funding is found (from the Global Environment Facility or elsewhere). The Bern Convention programme of activities is one of the four (together with those of the Barcelona Convention, IUCN and the World Bank) associated with the exercise.

            The Committee expressed the unanimous feeling that this activity was a very interesting one and instructed the Secretariat to participate in some of the MedWet technical meetings, so that the Convention could be associated with the initiative and the Standing Committee informed on its development.

            5.1.4    Group of experts on conservation of plants in Appendix I

                        Group of experts on conservation of plants of Central Europe

                        (T-PVS (93) 13, T-PVS (92) 74 revised and add.)

            The Secretariat presented the report of these groups of experts, which met respectively in Strasbourg (17 to 19 May 1993), and Rügen, Germany (6 to 9 October 1992). The group on Central Europe had though useful that the Committee was informed of the lists of plants in Central Europe not having a satisfactory conservation status. A draft recommendation on the conservation of these species was presented. The Committee discussed the draft recommendation, considered it could be a useful step for plant conservation in the region but thought that it needed some improvement, so it will be circulated to the Parties for comment and sent to the Plant group for amendment.

            The group of experts on Central Europe made some proposals to amend Appendix I of the Convention. The Committee examined them, agreed with the plant group that only three of the species proposed merited listing and suggested including those species in a future amendment of Appendix I to adapt it to Central and Eastern Europe.  The Committee did not find it useful to re-open a discussion on criteria for selecting species for Appendix I.

            The Secretariat presented the report of the group of experts on plant conservation. The Committee took note with satisfaction with the progress of the different activities of the group on the following topics:

            -           Appendix I species in need of priority conservation

            -           Wild European plants threatened by exploitation and commerce

            -           Categories of threat and taxonomic questions

            -           Revision of Appendix I to include species from new contracting parties. (Here were examined the reports made for Bulgaria, the Czech Republic and Hungary)

            -           Invasive plant species in Europe

and asked the group to present complete reports on these topics for 1995.  The Committee discussed in particular plants threatened by exploitation and commerce and though it was difficult at this stage to give a more precise opinion on the draft recommendation proposed, as it lacked the list of species to which it would apply.  The draft recommendation will be discussed when the species threatened by exploitation are listed.

            The Committee adopted Recommendation No. 40 (93) on the elaboration of conservation and recovery plans for species in Appendix I of the Convention (see Appendix 7 to this document).

            5.1.5    Group of experts on fish conservation  (T-PVS (93) 1)

            Following instructions from the Committee a group of experts met in Strasbourg on 1 and 2 April 1993 to discuss a draft recommendation on conservation of freshwater fish and to make an informal proposal for amendment of Appendix IV for crayfish and freshwater fish. The Secretariat presented an informal proposal to amend Appendix IV (prohibited means of killing, capture and other forms of exploitation) for freshwater fish and for crayfish. The Committee discussed both proposals and agreed that they be formally presented by one Party.  Norway volunteered to make, in collaboration with Denmark, the formal proposals for amendment of Appendix IV in the sense of Article 17.  The delegation of the Netherlands, seconded by the United Kingdom delegation, preferred that electricity was excluded from the list or else that only "alternating current" was mentioned as a prohibited method.

            As for the informal proposal for amendment of Appendix IV for crayfish, the delegations of Finland and Germany did not favour the inclusion of "collection by snorkelling or sub-aqua divers", according to the principle of selectiveness and the principle of wise use.  Several delegations thought that the appropriate way to deal with this reserve was through the use of exceptions (Article 9).

            The delegate of FACE asked that, while amending Appendix IV the French version of the title was corrected, deleting the word "chasse" and including "mise à mort, capture".  The Committee agreed to this modification, which is more in line with the correct wording of Article 8.

            The proposals are found in Appendix 9 to this report.

            The Secretariat presented a draft recommendation on the conservation of freshwater fish. The Committee adopted the recommendation which is found in Appendix 10 to this report.

            5.2       Reports

            5.2.1    Report on habitat conservation for freshwater fish

                        (T-PVS (93) 9)

            The Committee took note of this report and decided it should be circulated to Parties and observers for comment.  The delegate of Norway wished to see the problem of introduction of non-native species and acidification better dealt with.

            5.2.2    Reports on threatened flora of Eastern Europe

                        [Bulgaria (T-PVS (93) 40), Czech Republic (T-PVS (93) 44) and

                        Hungary (T-PVS (93) 38)]

            The Committee took note of these reports which will be circulated to Parties for comment.

            5.2.3    Report on threatened amphibians and reptiles of Eastern Europe (T-PVS (94) 3)

            Mr Keith Corbett, consultant, presented this report, which was not available to participants.  He called the attention of the Committee to the great herpetological interest of Central and Eastern Europe and of the great danger of unfavourable habitat change due to privatisation of the land.  The consultants had reviewed the conservation status of different herpetiles and had found that 42 species were threatened (20 of them not listed in the Convention).

            The Committee discussed the possible amendment of Appendix II of the Convention to include new species from Central and Eastern Europe.  This could perhaps be done for 1995.  The Committee decided to add to any new proposal the 11 species of herpetiles that were considered at its 11th meeting as good candidates for inclusion in Appendix II.

            The Secretariat was requested to circulate the report for comment by the Parties and observers and to present it to the next meeting of the working Group on amphibians and reptiles.

            5.2.4    Report on habitat types of special significance for large groups of invertebrates

                        (T-PVS (93) 43)

            The consultant, Mr Koomen, presented this report which was unanimously   appreciated.  The report will be circulated to the Parties and observers for comment and will be discussed at the working group on invertebrates.  It will be published in the Nature and Environment Series.

            5.2.5    Report on conservation of badgers (Meles meles)  (T-PVS (93) 18)

            This report was presented by the Secretariat. The Committee instructed the Secretariat to ask for comments of Contracting Parties in 1994.

5.3       Action Plans for European globally threatened species: Birds  (T-PVS (93) 30)

            Mr Borja Heredia, from BirdLife International, presented this interesting exercise which aims at producing action plans for European species which are threatened globally. The project is funded by the Royal Society for the protection of Birds (RSPB) and the European Commission through a LIFE grant and executed by Birdlife International. The International Wetlands Research Bureau is responsible for the action plans for waterfowl. 27 European bird species have been selected for the preparation of the first action plans, of which eight are entirely or totally restricted to Europe. The Convention was been invited to participate in the exercise. The Committee discussed the role that the Convention might have in this exercise  which was generally appreciated as a very positive one, as it could be extended in the future to mammals and amphibians and reptiles.  The Committee thought that the Convention had a definite interest in being associated with the exercise and instructed the Secretariat to attend relevant meetings of the project, so that the action plans produced may be presented to the Committee for discussion.

PART III - SPECIFIC SITES

           

6.         Specific sites

            The Committee was invited to discuss the problems concerning the different areas and to decide in each case if:

            a. the file was to be closed definitively;

            b. the file was closed, but might be re-opened by the Secretariat in case of significant      new events;

            c. the file was to be kept open.

            6.1       Caretta caretta in Laganas Bay, Zakynthos (Greece)  (T-PVS (93) 32)

            This issue had been on the agenda of eight meetings of the Committee since 1986.  In 1987, the Committee adopted Recommendation No. 9 concerning "the protection of Caretta caretta in Laganas Bay, Zakynthos, (Greece)".  The Committee decided last year to adopt a

declaration addressed to the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. The Committee of Ministers took note of the Declaration and decided to bring the matter to the attention of the respective national ministers. On 12th May 1993 the Secretariat was received by the Greek Secretary of State to discuss the matter. The Secretariat received no assurance that Recommendation No. 9 was to be implemented, on the contrary, all elements available indicated that the Greek Ministry of Environment, Physical Planning and Public Works was preparing new legislation which would permit substantial building in critical areas for the nesting of the turtles.

            The delegate of Greece referred to the framework of principles, directing the establishment of all arrangements needed (ie legal, administrative), that will provide the adequate protection of the critical areas for the nesting of turtles in Laganas Bay.

            The objectives of such arrangements are the establishment of a National Marine Park and its Management Body, taking into consideration the legitimate relevant socio-economic aspects.

            The Greek delegate informed the Committee that the Greek Government, which had taken office two months earlier, attached great importance to this issue and that the respective national authorities are expressing their willingness in providing the Bern

Convention with all information needed.  In this respect, the Secretary General of the Ministry of the Environment, Physical Planning and Public Works is inviting the Secretariat to Athens to discuss all aspects of problems raised in Laganas Bay.

            Furthermore, the Greek delegate announced that Sekania beach was to be purchased, pretty soon, with a contribution from WWF (75% of the funds being provided by the Commission of the European Union).  The Committee was further informed that the maritime surveillance was also to be reinforced.

            The President of MEDASSET gave a detailed description of the various beaches of Laganas Bay, illustrated with colour slides.  One of the most acute problems was undoubtedly the uncontrolled dissemination of illegal buildings on the coast and the increased number of sunshades on the beaches.  Cooperation with the local people continued to pose problems.

            The Secretariat welcomed the intentions of the Greek Government and accepted with interest the invitation extended to it.  It keenly hoped that this new attitude would soon be translated into action and that an improvement of the situation would very quickly become apparent, at least in certain sectors.  It stressed the need for a thorough preparation of the proposed meeting, which was essential to achieve practical results.  For example, the projects proposed by the authorities should be known in advance so that the meeting would not merely consist of conveying information but rather one at which practical solutions could be discussed.  The Secretariat also felt that it was necessary for the Standing Committee to be closely associated with this visit, particularly through its Bureau.

            In conclusion, the Committee adopted the following declaration:

            1)         The Standing Committee considered that, despite Recommendation no 9 adopted in 1987 and the Declaration approved in 1992 and addressed to the Committee of Ministers concerning the situation of Caretta caretta in Laganas Bay, Greece had still not so far satisfied its obligations under the Convention in the case under consideration. 

            2)         It took note of the intentions of the new Greek government to make the necessary arrangements without delay in order to halt the deterioration of the situation, considering that it attaches great importance to the protection of this site whose ecological value it fully recognises. 

            3)         The Committee expressed its satisfaction at the invitation which the Greek Government had extended to the Secretariat of the Bern Convention to discuss the entire problem and the solutions to be applied.  It insisted on the importance of preparing such a meeting thoroughly in advance so that practical progress may be made.  Accordingly, it hopes that the competent authorities will be in a position to describe the immediate measures it has been decided to take on the site in order to improve the situation.

            4)         The Committee instructed its Bureau to make preparations to cover all the aspects of this visit in conjunction with the Greek authorities.

            The German delegation asked for a detailed map and structured discussion of the different sites.

            6.2       Bufo viridis and Eptesicus serotinus in Leimen, Germany  (T-PVS (92) 79)

            One of the largest and most important national populations of Bufo viridis, a species endangered in Germany, depends on a disused limestone quarry near Heidelberg in Baden-Wurttemburg.  This quarry is also a key site for several species of bats (particularly the rare species Eptesicus serotinus), insects and wild flowers, all strictly protected in Germany and covered under the Bern Convention Appendices.  Despite the site's obvious importance, it is now planned that it be filled in with rubbish.

 

            At the last meeting of the Committee the German delegate recognised the gravity of the situation.  The German delegate informed the Committee that the project had been abandoned and the regional nature conservation authority had decided to protect the area as a nature reserve on a temporary basis.  Most likely the area will be fully protected within two years.  The Societas Europaea Herpetologica congratulated Germany for this very good news.  The Committee expressed its satisfaction for the happy solution of this issue and decided to close the file.

            6.3       Areas of herpetile interest in the Gulf of Orosei (Italy)  (T-PVS (92) 57)

                        An on-the-spot appraisal was carried out in this area in Sardinia in 1992.  The expert Mr Stumpel, presented its findings and a draft recommendation at the last meeting of the Committee. The Committee agreed with the terms of the recommendation, but in the absence of Italy decided that the draft recommendation be sent to Italy for comment, pointing out that the Committee had the intention of adopting it at its next meeting, even in the case of absence of the Italian delegation. Since the last meeting of the Committee the Park of Gennargentu, main request of the recommendation, has been created. The Committee decided to adopt the recommendation as it is found in Appendix 11 to this report.

            6.4       Possible new files  (T-PVS (93) 41)

                        - Testudo hermanni in Maures (France)

            The Secretariat presented a detailed report on this issue. This turtle has its last French population in the Plaine des Maures, an area of remarkable environmental value.  The firm Michelin has a project to build a road for the trial of wheel tires.  The road is to cross the centre of the plain, threatening to cause irreversible damage to local flora and fauna, particularly to Testudo hermanni.  Recommendation No. 26 (1991) of the Standing Committee asked France to protect as a nature reserve the habitat of the tortoise in the Massif and the Plaine des Maures.

            In view of the information communicated by letter from the Ministry of the Environment and enlarged upon by the French delegation, the Standing Committee noted that the French Government is devoting its very special attention to the need to preserve the Massif and the Plaine des Maures in their entirety and to implement a national conservation plan for the species.  Accordingly, it considered that there was no need to open a file, but requested France to submit a report on the evolution of the situation at the next meeting of the Standing Committee.

            The Committee nevertheless felt that it was important to call attention to Recommendation no 26 on the conservation of some threatened reptiles in Europe, adopted by the Standing Committee on 6 December 1991, which recommended that the French Government should "protect as a nature reserve the habitat of Testudo hermanni hermanni in the Massif and the Plaine des Maures, thus removing further threats from development".  (Paragraph 7.)

            The Committee stressed the special interest of this habitat for the conservation of Mediterranean and European biodiversity and invited the French Government to continue with the procedures establishing the entire area as a listed site under the 1930 law on protected sites and as a nature reserve within the meaning of the 1976 nature conservation law.

                        - Dam project in the province of Salamanca (Spain)

            The Secretariat presented this case. A project to build a dam in Fuenteguinaldo (Salamanca, Spain) threatens one of the most remarkable oak forests in the Iberian Peninsula. Populations of several Appendix II species will be affected, although none so severely as to threaten its survival. The project has been opposed by the Environment Council (Ministry) of the concerned region (Castilla-León) and by the national conservation authority (ICONA) on the grounds of the environmental value of the area and on the existence of a project to create a protected area within the regional network of Castilla-León. The political group "The Greens" claim that the dam is unnecessary because it is to provide irrigation for 14.000 hectares, a project which they do not find realistic from the economic point of view.

            After a presentation on developments in the situation, given by the Spanish delegation, and a discussion on the matter, the Standing Committee expressed its concern at the fact that the construction of the Fuenteguinaldo dam in the province of Salamanca was likely to have serious effects natural habitats and on the numerous plant and animal species in the area concerned.

            With the agreement of the Spanish delegation, it therefore instructed the Secretariat to get in touch with the Spanish authorities with a view to organising, if the latter so agreed, a visit to the site in accordance with Rule 11 of the Rules of Procedure of the Committee.

            Accordingly, it decided to postpone its decision as to whether to open a file on this case at its next meeting.

                        - Caretta caretta in Patara (Turkey)

            Recommendation No. 24 (1991) asked Turkey to halt construction activities on the beach of Patara until a management plan was drawn up.  The Secretariat was informed by MEDASSET that there were several building projects on the shore which would seriously threaten the loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta), a species listed in Appendix II of the Convention.

            In the absence of the Turkish delegation and in the light of the available information, the Standing Committee expressed its keen anxiety with regard to the situation.  It therefore instructed the Secretariat to reiterate its request to the Turkish Ministry of the Environment for information on the measures taken to implement Recommendation no 24 concerning the protection of certain Turkish beaches of particular importance for marine turtles, adopted by the Standing Committee on 11 January 1991, which recommends that Turkey consider "halting construction activities at [...] Patara beaches until management plans for these areas are drawn up".  It felt that it was particularly desirable to obtain exact data concerning the

dates on which the building permits were granted and the possibility of cancelling these, and maps of the reproduction sites indicating the location of the developments and constructions already carried out or currently planned.

            It also requested the Bureau to assess the need for a visit to the site, in agreement with the national authorities concerned and in accordance with Rule 11 of the Rules of Procedure of the Convention.

            6.5       Information on:

                        - Ursus arctos in the Pyrenees (France)

            The Chairman asked the delegate of France to present a report, in accordance with the decision taken at the previous meeting, on the situation and problems of bears in the Pyrenees.  He announced that a letter signed by members of the European Parliament had been sent to him on this subject and he hoped for replies to the remarks which had been made in that letter.

            After providing a historical background to the situation of bears in the Pyrenees, the French delegate supplied the following information:

-           "The status of strictly protected species, assigned to the Brown Bear on 17 April 1981 under the terms of the law of 10 July 1976 on the protection of nature, had been down-graded.  In France the bear was now a species which could be captured or destroyed (decree of 22 July 1993)."

            The Decree of 22 July 1993 did not refer exclusively to the brown bear, but to several other species, including the wolf and the hamster which had also acquired protective status.  The Decree quoted the actual terms of the Bern Convention (Article 9) and the Habitat Directive (Article 16).

-           "On 11 October 1993 the Minister of the Environment had announced the abrogation of the Decree of 5 September 1990 concerning protective measures for 6,500 hectares of vital habitat of the Brown Bear in the Western Pyrenees."

            This decision had been the sine qua non condition for resuming discussions at local level aiming at the preparation of a charter of action to reconcile the protection of the bears and the economic and tourist development of the valleys concerned.  Since then, the local politicians and other interested parties had undertaken preparations for this document.

-           "The Prime Minister had recently declared the construction of the Somport tunnel to be in the public interest.  The side effects (building of a section of the motorway-type link between Pau and Saragossa in the Aspe valley) would result in compartmentalising the habitat of the last nucleus of wild bears in the western Pyrenees.  No global impact study on the effects of the tunnel and the associated roadworks (motorway link) had been supplied.  No compensatory measures for the direct or indirect effects of these public works had been implemented and the new road and the resulting fragmentation of habitats would constitute serious factors for the regression of isolated populations (cf the recommendations of the Ninth International Conference on research on and management of bears: management and restoration of small populations and relict populations of bears, 1992)."

            The Government had announced the provision, on the advice of experts, of 1.5 km of passageways for the bears.  According to the experts, it would still be absolutely vital, in addition to dealing with the road, to apply all the other necessary measures for restoring the bear population (management of the species and its habitat, winning over the support of the local population for the proposed project).

            The charter referred to by the French delegation would comprise a programme for improving agriculture, forestry and grazing facilities, a management plan for hunting and the protection of vital sites necessary to the bears.  It would define special measures designed to achieve the effective repopulation of the bear colony.

            The WWF delegate felt that the proposed measures were likely to seriously compromise the population of bears and requested that this item should remain under scrutiny by the Committee.

            The representative of IUCN described the affair as unfortunate.  There remained between eight and twelve individual bears for which the obligations undertaken by France in accordance with the Bern Convention had not been fulfilled.  If a state such as France failed to protect a small population of bears on its own territory, it was to be feared that it would be difficult to preserve biodiversity in the world.

            The Finnish delegate insisted that the local populations should be supported and stressed the importance of acting by means of negotiation and consultation.

            The Secretariat representative regretted that the French authorities were confronted by local problems and by attitudes towards the use of the environment which were not compatible with sustainable development.  He stressed the need for a change of outlook in order to ensure the preservation of wildlife species.

            The SFDE (French Society for Environmental Law) delegate wondered about the usefulness of a charter when the habitat of the species was going to be destroyed.

            At the Chairman's request, the French delegate agreed to submit a written report on the subject at the next meeting of the Standing Committee.

                        - Missolonghi wetlands (Greece)

            This issue concerns several development projects in Greece, candidates to receive financial support from the EEC, which may result in adverse ecological effects on areas of great biological importance, including the Missolonghi wetlands. At its last meeting the Committee adopted Recommendation No. 38 (1992) on the issue. The Committee requested a report on the matter to be given in the next EC Biennial Report. The EC agreed to send, in any case, a progress report for this meeting of the Committee

            The EEC delegate informed the Committee that no extra EEC funds have yet been given for this project. The European Commission, given the importance of the project, had asked two independent hydrologists to verify all the information available. Even if the Commission had not yet a definite opinion it seemed that with the present project it would be possible to assure the conservation of the Special Protection Zone of the Missolonghi wetlands.

            The information presented by the Commission is included in document (T‑PVS (93) 47).

            The delegate of Greece informed the Committee that in 1993 specific scientific studies had been carried out from the Greek part in cooperation with the Commission of the European Union, aiming at the updated evaluation of the environmental and hydrological studies and data relevant to the Acheloos river diversion.  The main results of these studies,

1)         have shown that:

            a)         downstream of the Stratos dam, being the last one of a series of dams (already existing or planned with respect to the river's diversion), there is not any possibility for underground water recharge, resulting from the Acheloos surface water, as the main effect of the construction and operation, since the early 70s, of the land reclamation technical works.

            b)         following the above point (a), there is not any connection of the river's water flow with the water regime of the Missolonghi and Etolikon lagoons.

            c)         the Acheloos estuary, is not a naturally evolving system;  on the contrary, it is a fully manmade controlled system.

                        The above points 1(a) and (b) have been confirmed as well by an extended field work in situ in the Acheloos estuary and Missolonghi and Etolikon lagoons' area, comprising borehole technical works and chemical quality test of the underground water.

2)         have provided the clear picture of the Acheloos river hydrological data, for the 1950-1992 period.

            The Greek delegate referred as well to the joint Ministerial Decision No. 1319 (Official Gazette B/755/1993) on The Protection Measures of the Missolonghi-Etolikon lagoons, the Acheloos downstream and estuary area of the other biotopes in their greater area.  At the end the delegate of Greece mentioned that no final decision had been made and that if any diversion was going to be decided, all obligations derived from the national and Community legislation, in respect to the environmental impact, should be respected accordingly.

            The delegate of BirdLife pointed out that the recommendation of the Committee had not been implemented, no environmental impact study had been made and that there was controversy as to the results of the reports of the experts.  WWF quoted a paragraph of that report implying that serious environmental damage was likely to occur.  (The declaration by BirdLife is found in T-PVS (93) 47.)

            The Committee decided that the recommendation was fully valid and asked Greece to submit a written report on the implementation of the recommendation at the next meeting of the Committee.  The EEC delegate announced that the information presented by the Commission will be amended, as appropriate, if the definitive opinion on the project was essentially different to the text presented.

             

                        - Dorset heathlands (United Kingdom)  (T-PVS (93) 8, T-PVS (93) 31)

            The issue concerns protection of several Appendix II species of reptiles in the Dorset heathlands. At its last meeting the United Kingdom agreed to present a progress report on the matter. This report was presented, as well as a document presented by WWF, SEH and BirdLife International (RSPB).  The United Kingdom delegation informed the Committee that its government had taken action by strengthening planning guidance acting on some particular conflict cases and promoting positive management where neglect of the heathland was the problem?

            Representatives of these NGOs that had presented the document explained in detail the conservation problems of heathlands in Dorset.  In there opinion, their present status did not assure their long term conservation as there were very numerous developments (houses, roads) threatening heathlands, not enough effort was being put into their protection and management was not appropriate. (Full declarations are found in T-PVS (93) 47).

            The United Kingdom delegate asked for the existing file on the Dorset heathlands to be closed.  He informed the Committee that the United Kingdom Government had taken action to strengthen national planning guidance;  had intervened in a number of individual sites and had published proposals to deal with the problem of the deliberate neglect of heathland by a minority of landowners.  The United Kingdom delegate noted that its Government had taken a range of additional measures to safeguard SSSIs, focusing in particular on the fact that Ministers could "call in" planning applications and also the publication of both a formal Circular and a draft Policy Planning Guidance note which aimed to consolidate and strengthen the advice to local authorities on planning and development control.  New regulations would also be introduced in the United Kingdom to implement the government's new responsibilities under the Habitats Directive.

            The United Kingdom delegate informed the Committee on the action taken by its Government on a number of individual sites, for example, on Canford Heath and Springdale Road.  On Holton Heath - an important breeding site for the sand lizard Lacerta agilis - the Government had intervened with the local authority with a result that the local authority had published modified plans for a road proposal including a wider safeguarded route corridor while also retaining the option of avoiding virtually the whole sand lizard site at Black Hill.

            Dr Keith Duff, Science Director of English Nature, informed the Committee of English Nature's work on Dorset heathlands noting that of the total area of 8000 hectares about 95% were already notified as SSSIs.  The separate 43 SSSIs comprised the whole area of the proposed Dorset heathlands SPA under the EC Birds Directive.  Consultations with the owners and occupiers were currently being carried out.  Dr Duff outlined a number of measures taken by English Nature to show the importance which they attached to the long-term safeguard of the heathlands.  These included the development of a National Heathland Programme;  the possible extension of their Wider Environment Scheme and the annual management of English Nature's six National Nature Reserves which covered about 1300 hectares of the Dorset heathlands.  Four Dorset heathland sites are Biogenetic Reserves.  Dr Duff also informed the Committee that a full Species Recovery Programme for the sand lizard had just been agreed at an annual cost of about £30,000.  This would be in addition to the present Species Recovery Programme for the Natterjack toad Bufo calamita which was now in its fourth year.

            Several delegations insisted on the importance of that ecosystem for several species of reptiles and on the endangered status of heathlands in the United Kingdom (as less than 1% of the primitive heathland subsists).

            After discussion between the Bureau, the United Kingdom delegation and three NGO observers (BirdLife International, SEH and WWF) the following conclusions were reached by the Standing Committee:

a)         The existing file on Dorset heathlands would be closed;

b)         In view of some outstanding concerns expressed by the delegations, the United Kingdom agreed to provide a concise progress report on Dorset heathlands in its next biennial report to be submitted by 31 March 1995;

c)         Such decisions would not preclude the opening of new files on Dorset heathland issues if it became necessary in the future;

d)         As neglect of important habitats by landowners is not unique to Dorset heathland, nor to the United Kingdom, consideration should be given to studying this problem in a wider European context.

            The United Kingdom delegation gave further interpretation of its paper T-PVS (93) 8 as follows:

i.          English Nature has initiated action to extend existing Dorset heathland SSSIs, so as to incorporate sites identified by the Herpetological Conservation Trust (HCT) as being of importance for rare reptiles.  It was expected that the majority of the HCT proposals will be pursued and have built their handling into its current and future work plans.

ii.         Paragraph 69 (conclusions) should be understood as part of a factual statement, and was not intended to signify complacency.  This would have been clearer if the words "The United Kingdom Government accepts that" were omitted.

                        - Bufo calamita in the Dingle Peninsula (Ireland)  (T-PVS (93) 24)

            In 1991 the Committee adopted Recommendation No. 33 on the conservation of the natterjack toad (Bufo calamita) in Ireland. At its last meeting the Committee requested Ireland to present a short report on the follow up of the recommendation. The report was presented by the delegate of Ireland.

            After a discussion during which the Committee examined the conclusions presented by the Secretariat in the document on follow-up of recommendations (T-PVS (93) 24), it was decided to close the file:  in view of the information provided by the Irish delegate according to which the Irish Government is endeavouring to assess and monitor the population of natterjack toads on the existing golf course and to take appropriate legislative measures to ensure that the development of golf courses requires planning permission.

            The Committee asked Ireland to submit a report on the implementation of the recommendation together with its next biennial report.

                        - Reptiles in Totes Moor, Lower Saxony (Germany)

            At its last meeting the German delegation offered to present a report on the site, which contains two herpetile species listed in Appendix II.  The German delegate spoke of the impact of human activities on the site and on the plans of his government to have this area evaluated for its importance for amphibians and reptiles (T-PVS (93) 46).  The German delegation offered to present a more complete report at the next meeting of the Committee.  The file is kept open.

PART IV - WORK PROGRAMME AND OTHER ITEMS

7.         Frequency of meetings of the Standing Committee  (T-PVS (93) 15, T-PVS (93) 33)

            Given the practical and budgetary difficulties of annual meetings, the Bureau instructed the Secretariat to prepare a paper considering the possibility of holding meetings of the Committee every two years.  The Secretariat presented the relevant document while emphasising the importance of its present workload.

            Various delegations expressed the fear that holding the meeting at the proposed frequency might undermine the position of the Environment Sector in the Council of Europe, insofar as it might give the impression that environmental affairs are of less importance, whereas it is precisely the contrary that is true.  The representative of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe stressed that priority should be assigned to environmental questions.  The Standing Committee therefore felt that it would be preferable, on the contrary, to request extra resources for a sector which was of outstanding importance for the conservation of the natural heritage of Europe and of the Western Palaearctic.

            It stressed that substantial reinforcements in terms of staff and funds would be fully justified, in view of the activities assigned to the Council of Europe by the Ministers of the Environment of the UN/ECE region and the representative of the Commission of the European Communities responsible for environmental matters in the Lucerne Declaration of 30 April 1993, and also as a result of the Maastricht Conference of 9-12 November 1993.  It was therefore considered necessary to approach the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe to inform it of this stance adopted by the Standing Committee.

            Considering the heavy workload with which the Secretariat has to cope at present, the Standing Committee felt that it was inevitable, pending the adoption of appropriate measures, to make a selection of certain activities and documents to be presented.  It decided to hold its 14th meeting during the first quarter of 1995, this to permit the Committee to take into account the results of the first meeting of Parties of the Convention on Biological Diversity (November 1994), and to postpone until that date any decision as to whether to hold its meetings on a two-yearly basis.  It further instructed the Secretariat to prepare a working document on the advisability of setting up a scientific committee.

            Several delegations, including the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, strongly supported the proposal to move from annual to biennial meetings and also to seeking a longer term consideration of the case for merging the Standing Committee, CDPE and the work of the National Agencies of the Centre Naturopa with a view to streamlining administration and increasing the efficiency of the Committee's work.  The Secretariat was asked to prepare a detailed study of this option including inter alia the extension of the Bureau and accession of Party observers to the Bureau meeting.

            The Danish delegate suggested that the Bureau should be authorised to consider the following matters:

-           the desirability of endeavouring to reduce the bulk of the agenda;

-           the examination of documents due to be submitted for information and not requiring examination as part of the agenda of meetings of the Standing Committee;

-           the examination of recommendations, with a view to assessing to what extent these should be regarded as general or specific;

-           the definition of new concepts.

            The Standing Committee hoped that more effective coordination of activities relating to the environment might be organised within the framework of the Council of Europe and asked the Secretariat to prepare a document accordingly, in collaboration with the other departments in the organisation dealing with these subjects. 

8.         Programme of activities for 1994 and 1995.  Financing of activities

            (T-PVS (93) 10)

            The Committee adopted a work programme for 1994 and for the first three months of 1995. (See Appendix 13)

9.         Election of Chairman and Vice-Chairman

            In accordance with Article 18(e) of the Rules of Procedure: "The Chairman and Vice-Chairman shall be elected at the end of each meeting.  They shall execute their respective terms of office from their election onwards until the end of the meeting following the meeting where they were elected.  Their terms of office may not exceed four years or, as appropriate, the end of the first meeting following the expiry of this period of four years."

            The Committee elected Mr Haapanen (Finland) Chairman by 20 votes out of 21 votes cast.  The Committee elected Mr Spiridonov (Bulgaria) Vice-Chairman by 12 votes out of 21 votes cast.

            In accordance with Article 18(e) of the Rules of Procedure: "The Chairman and Vice-Chairman shall be elected at the end of each meeting.  They shall execute their respective terms of office from their election onwards until the end of the meeting following the meeting where they were elected.  Their terms of office may not exceed four years or, as appropriate, the end of the first meeting following the expiry of this period of four years."

10.       Date and place of the 14th meeting, adoption of the report, and other business

            The Committee decided to hold its 14th meeting in March or April 1995 before the Third Pan-European Ministerial Conference on the Environment to be held in Sofia in May 1995.

            Other business

            The United Kingdom delegate having described the impact of the wreck of the Liberian oil tanker Braer on the coast of the Shetland Islands, the Standing Committee considered that it was essential to promote action to prevent accidents, taking into account the involvement of other organisations such as the IMO.

            The Standing Committee decided to support the proposal by the Parliamentary Assembly to organise a pan-European conference on pollution from oil tankers, contained in Recommendation 1227 (1993).  It called attention to Article 3, paragraph 2 of the Bern Convention, according to which:

            "Each Contracting Party undertakes, in its planning and development policies and in its measures against pollution, to have regard to the conservation of wild flora and fauna".

            The Standing Committee hoped that this conference would deal in particular,

            -           in connection with questions relating to prevention: with the possibility of establishing protected areas which would be banned to shipping;

            -           in connection with questions relating to emergency action following accidents: with the possibility of requesting the competent international authorities to take measures at the appropriate legal levels enabling a ship in distress to be towed.

            Meetings to be attended by the Secretariat

            The Committee authorised the Secretariat to attend several meetings of special relevance for the work of the Convention, notably the meeting of the Parties of the Bonn Convention, the first meeting of the Parties of the Convention on Biological Diversity, the first meeting of the Parties of the Bats Agreement, the meeting of the Small Cetaceans of the Baltic and North Seas Agreement, the technical meetings of MedWet and Action Plans for Globally Threatened Species, and the coordination meetings on monk seal conservation.

            Adoption of the report

            The Committee adopted this report on Friday 3 December 1993.

                                                                          

                                                            A P P E N D I X   1

LIST OF PARTICIPANTS / LISTE DES PARTICIPANTS

AUSTRIA/AUTRICHE  Mr Wolfgang TRAUSZNIG, Verbindungsstelle der Bundesländer

Schenkenstrasse 4/3, A 1014 WIEN (E)       Tel. 43 222 53 53 761-24        Fax 43 222 5356079

BELGIUM/BELGIQUE  M. Jean RENAULT (Chairman/Président), Ministère de l'Agriculture, Administration de la Recherche Agronomique, Avenue du Boulevard 21 - 7^e étage, Manhattan Center, Office Tower, B 1210 BRUXELLES (F)   Tél. (32 2) 211.72.11   Fax n° (32 2) 211.75.53

M. Patrick DE WOLF, Ingénieur des Eaux et Forêts, Ministère de la Région Wallone, Direction de la Conservation de la Nature, avenue Prince de Liège 15, B 5100 JAMBES (NAMUR)         (F)        Tél. 081/325 903        Fax 081/325 602

BULGARIA/BULGARIE  Mr Geko SPIRIDONOV, Chef du Département de la Biodiversité, Aires protégées et Forêts, Ministère de l'Environnement de Bulgarie, 67 W. Gladstone Str., 1000 SOFIA            (F)        Tel. 87 61 51 (290)  Telex 22145    Fax 359/2/521634

BURKINA FASO  M. Lamine SEBOGO, Ministère de l'Environnement et du Tourisme, Direction Générale de l'Environnement, Direction des Forêts et de la Faune, 03 BP 7044 OUAGADOUGOU   Fax 226 31 0086         (F)

CYPRUS/CHYPRE

DENMARK/DANEMARK  Mr Veit KOESTER, Head of Division, Ministry of the Environment, Skov- og Naturstyrelsen, Haraldsgade 53, DK 2100 KØBENHAVN Ø

Tel.      +45 39 27 20 00          Telex 21 485 NATURE DK   Fax      +45 39 27 98 99        (E)

Mr Claus GOLDBERG, Ministry of the Environment, Skov- og Naturstyrelsen, Haraldsgade 53, DK 2100 KØBENHAVN Ø

Tel.      +45 39 27 20 00          Telex 21 485 NATURE DK   Fax      +45 39 27 98 99        (E)

ESTONIA/ESTONIE

EEC/CEE M. Richard GEISER, Administrateur principal, Direction générale environnement, sécurité nucléaire et protection civile (DG XI), (T174 249) Commission des Communautés européennes, 200 rue de la Loi, B 1049 BRUXELLES, Belgique                                               (F)

Tel. 00-32-2-236 87 32                       Telex comeu b 21877 Fax 00-32-2-235 0144

M. Pierre J. DEVILLERS, (1) Direction générale environnement, sécurité nucléaire et protection civile (D.G. XI), Commission des Communautés européennes, 200 rue de la Loi,

B 1049 BRUXELLES, Belgique

et (2) Institut royal des Sciences naturelles de Belgique, 29 rue Vautier, B 1040 BRUXELLES, Belgique           (F/E)   Tél. 32 2 627 43 54     Fax 32 2 649 48 25

FINLAND/FINLANDE  Mr Antti HAAPANEN, Director, Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, Ministry of the Environment, Land Use Department, PB 399, SF 00121 HELSINKI  (E)

Tel. 358-0-160 5960    Telex 123717 ymin sf Fax 358-0-160 5540

Mr Christian KROGELL, Chief Inspector, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Dept of Fish and Game, Hallituskatu 3A, SF 00170 HELSINKI  (E)  Tel.+358 0 1603373 Fax +358 0 1604285

FRANCE  M. Jean-Louis PONS, Ministère de l'Environnement, Direction nature et paysages, 20 avenue de Ségur, F-75302 PARIS 07 SP (F)    Tel. 33 (1) 42 19 19 48     Fax 42 19 19 77

Mme Véronique HERRENSCHMIDT, Chargée de mission pour la faune protégée, Ministère de l'Environnement, Direction de la nature et des Paysages, Service de la Chasse, de la Faune, de la Flore, 20 avenue de Ségur, F 75302 PARIS 07 SP   (F)        Tel. 33 (1) 42 19 19 22           

M. François de BEAUFORT, Muséum National d'Histoire naturelle, Mammifères et oiseaux, 55 rue de Buffon, 75005 PARIS    Tel. 40 79 30 76            Fax 1 40 79 30 63

GERMANY/ALLEMAGNE Dr Joachim WOIWODE, Regierungsdirektor, Bundesministerium für Umwelt, Naturschutz und Reaktorsicherheit, Postfach 12 06 29, D 53048 BONN  (E)

Tel. 0049-228 305 2632          Fax 0049-228 305 2695

Ms Astrid THYSSEN, Regierungsoberinspektorin, Bundesministerium für Umwelt, Naturschutz und Reaktorsicherheit, Postfach 12 06 29, D 53048 BONN (E/F)

Tel. 0049-228 305 2634          Fax 0049-228 305 2694/95

Mr Gerold SCHENKEL, Landesanstalt für Umweltschutz Baden-Württemberg, Abt. 2 Grundsatz-Ökologie, Griesbachstrasse 1, D 76185 KARLSRUHE (F)

Tel. 0721-9831547      Fax 0721-983 1414

GREECE/GRECE  Mme Demetra SPALA, Ministry of the Environment, Physical Planning and Public Works, Environmental Planning Division, Natural Environment Management Section, 36 Trikalon Str., GR-11526 ATHENS        (E)

Tel. 30-1-6917620       Telex 216028 DYPP GR         Fax 30-1-8647420 / 30-1-6918487

Mr Theodore PALLAS, Ministry of Agriculture, Directorate of Aesthetic Forests, National Parks & Hunting, Section II (Game management section), 3-5 Hipokratus Str., GR 101 64 ATHENS                   (E)       Tel. 3606901 - 3608008   Fax 30 1 3635359

HUNGARY/HONGRIE  Mr Gabór NECHAY, Senior Adviser, National Authority for Nature Conservation, Ministry of the Environment and Regional Policy, Költo u. 21, H 1121 BUDAPEST XII (E)

Tel. 36 1/156 2133 - 36 1/1756 458  Telex 22 61 15            Fax 36/1 1757 457

ICELAND/ISLANDE  Dr Jon Gunnar OTTOSSON, Director for Environmental Affairs, Ministry of the Environment, Vonarstreeti 4, IS 150 REYKJAVIK   (E)

Tel. 354 1 609600                   Fax 354 1 624566

 

Mr Eythór EINARSSON, Director of the Department of Botany, Icelandic Museum of Natural History, PO Box 5320, IS 125 REYKJAVIK    (E)       Tel. 354 1 629822  Fax 354 1 620815

IRELAND/IRLANDE   Mr Tom WRIGHT, Assistant Director, Office of Public Works, National Parks and Wildlife Service, 51 St Stephen's Green, IRL DUBLIN 2

Tel. 353 1 6613111                 Fax 353 1 6620283                 (E)

ITALY/ITALIE  (Apologised for absence/excusé) Mr Massimo GOBBI, Responsible for international activities, Ministero Ambiente - Servizio Conservazione Natura, Via Volturno 58, I - 00187 ROMA            Tel. 39-6-67593284        Fax 0039-6-4469112   (E)

LIECHTENSTEIN  Dr Felix NÄSCHER (1-3 Dec.), Landesforstamt, FL 9490 VADUZ

Tel. 075 /236 64 00    Telex 888 290 Fax 075 /236 64 11    (E)

Mr Helmut KINDLE (29-30 Nov.) Landesforstamt, FL 9490 VADUZ

Tel. 75 /236 64 00      Telex 888 290 Fax 075 /236 64 11    (E)

LUXEMBOURG  M. Charles ZIMMER, Conseiller de Direction, Ministère de l'Environnement, 18 Montée de la Pétrusse, L 2918 LUXEMBOURG-VILLE

Tel. (352) 478/6826 - /6812        Fax (352) 400 410  (F)

MALTA/MALTE  Mr Alfred E. BALDACCHINO, O i/c Protected Species, Biodiversity,  Environment Department, FLORIANA        (E)       Tel. 231895 / 232022         Telex 241378

NETHERLANDS/PAYS-BAS  Dr Gerard C. BOERE, Senior Executive Officer, Division of International Affairs, Directorate for Nature, Forests, Landscape and Fauna, Ministry of Agriculture, Nature Management and Fisheries, PO Box 20401, NL 2500 EK THE HAGUE (E)

Tel. 31-70-3793591/3793007            Telex 32040 LAVI NL                        Fax 31-70-3793751

Drs Jan-Willem SNEEP, Ministry of Agriculture, Nature Management and Fisheries,

Department for Nature, Forests, Landscape and Wildlife, PO Box 20401,

NL 2500 EK THE HAGUE      (E)

Tel. 31-70-3793255                 Telex 32040 LAVI NL            Fax 31-70-3478228

NORWAY/NORVEGE  Ms Gunn M. PAULSEN, Directorate for Nature Management, Tungasletta 2, N 7005 TRONDHEIM          (E)       Tel. 47 73 58 05 00   Fax 47 73 91 54 33

Ms Kjersti Gram ANDERSEN, Ministry of the Environment, PO Box 8013 DEP, N 0030 OSLO Tel. 47 22 34 5880                    Fax 47 22 34 2756                  (E)

PORTUGAL  Mrs Maria de Lurdes CARVALHO, Instituto de Conservaçao da Natureza, Rua Ferreira Lapa 38, P 1100 LISBOA          (E)

Tel. 351 1 316 0520/1/2                    Fax 351 1 3521078/351 1 601048

ROMANIA/ROUMANIE  M. Florin-Angelo FLORIAN, Expert des problèmes juridiques et de l'Environnement, Ministère des Affaires Etrangères, 14 rue Modrogan, BUCURESTI

Tel. 336040/1142                   Fax 6336040   (E)

SENEGAL  M. Soulèye NDIAYE, Directeur adjoint des Parcs nationaux, Ministère de l'Environnement et de la Protection de la Nature, BP 5135, DAKAR FANN (F)

Tél. (221) 24-42-21 / 25-05-40          Fax n° 221 22 94 13 

SPAIN/ESPAGNE  M. Miguel AYMERICH HUYGHUES-DESPOINTES, Jefe de Seccion de Inventario, ICONA, Sous-direction generale du milieu naturel, Servicio de Vida Silvestre,

Gran Via de San Francisco 4, E 28005 MADRID    (F)

Tel. 347 61 85          Telex 47591 aeico e    Fax 347 6303

SWEDEN/SUEDE  Mr Torsten LARSSON, Conservation Officer, Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, S 17185 SOLNA          (E)

Tel. 46 8 7991000       Telex 11131 Environ S           Fax 46 8 799 1402

SWITZERLAND/SUISSE  M. Raymond-Pierre LEBEAU, Chef de la Section compensation écologique, Département fédéral de l'Intérieur, Office fédéral de l'Environnement, des Forêts et du Paysage, Hallwylstrasse 4, CH 3003 BERNE            (F)

Tel. 19 41 31/322 80 64         Fax 31/322 99 81

Dr Niklaus AMMANN, Institut de Géobotanique, Université de Berne, Altenbergrain 21, CH 3013 BERNE (F)        Tel. 41 31 631 4937                Fax 41 31 332 2059

TURKEY/TURQUIE  (Apologised for absence/excusé)  Mr Tansu GÜRPINAR, Deputy Director General Environmental Protection, Ministry of Environment, Department of International Relations, Cevre Bakanligi, Istanbul Caddesi n° 88, TR 06060 ISKITLER - ANKARA  (E)        Tel. 90 312 285 21 62                    Fax 90 312 286 22 71

UNITED KINGDOM/ROYAUME-UNI Mr Robert G. HEPWORTH, Head of International, Wildlife and Species Branch, Department of the Environment, Tollgate House, Houlton Street, GB BRISTOL BS2 9DJ       (E)

Tel. 272-218336          Telex 449321 Tolgte G                       Fax 272 218182

Mr Richard M. HEPBURN, Higher Executive Officer, International Wildlife and Species Branch, Department of the Environment, Tollgate House, GB BRISTOL BS2 9DJ    (E)

Tel. 272 218292      Telex 449321 Tolgte G             Fax 272 218182

Dr Keith L. DUFF, Chief Scientist, English Nature, Northminster House,

GB PETERBOROUGH PE1 1UA     Tel. 44 733 340345           Fax 44 733 68834    (E)

Dr Michael FORD (from 1 Dec.), Head of International Policy Branch, Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Monkstone House, City Road, GB PETERBOROUGH PE1 1JY   (E) Tel. +44-733-62626                                  Fax +44-733-893971

                                               OBSERVERS/OBSERVATEURS

CZECH REPUBLIC/REP. TCHEQUE  Mr Jaroslav _ERVENÝ, Division of Nature Conservation, Department of Species Protection, Ministry of the Environment, Czech Republic, Kodanska 10, 10000 PRAHA 10  (E)

Tel. (422) 67310896                Telex 121266  Fax (422) 673 10873

LITHUANIA/LITUANIE

POLAND/POLOGNE

SAN MARINO/SAINT MARIN

SLOVAKIA/SLOVAQUIE  Mr Miln BLAŠKO (absent), Deputy Permanent Representative of the Slovak Republic to the Council of Europe, 1 rue Ehrmann, 67000 STRASBOURG

Tel. 88 36 57 17          Fax 88 36 54 44

Ms Monika SZABÓOVÁ, Assistant to the Permanent Representative of the Slovak Republic to the Council of Europe, 1 rue Ehrmann, 67000 STRASBOURG           (E)

Tel. 88 36 57 17                      Fax 88 36 54 44

ALBANIA/ALBANIE  (Apologised for absence/excusé)  Mr Nihat DRAGOTI, General Directorate of Forestry, TIRANA   (E)       Tel. 00 355 422 8431

ALGERIA/ALGERIE

BELARUS

CAPE VERDE/CAP VERT

CROATIA/CROATIE

HOLY SEE/SAINT SIEGE   Apologised for absence/excusé

LATVIA/LETTONIE Mrs Ilona LODZINA, Ministry of the Environment and Regional Development, 25 Peldu Str., LV - 1494 RIGA                  (E)

Tel. 227283                             Fax 371 2 228159       Telex 161175 PARKS SU

MAURITANIA/MAURITANIE

MOLDOVA

MONACO  Mme Marie-Christine GRILLO, Chef de Section, Service de l'Environnement, Avenue de Fontvieille, Ministère d'Etat, MC 98000 MONACO      (F)

Tel (33) 93 15 80 10    / 93 15 89 63  Telex GouvPR 469942           Fax (33) 92 05 28 91

MOROCCO/MAROC

RUSSIA/RUSSIE  Dr Alexander N. GOLOVKIN, All-Russia Institute of Nature Conservation and Reserves, Znamenskoye-Sadki, p/o VILAR, MOSCOW 113628    (E)  

Tel. (95) 423 03 22     Telex 411584 MFAC SU                     Fax (95) 423 23 22

TUNISIA/TUNISIE  M. Slaheddine BEL HADJ KACEM (absent), Directeur de la Conservation des Forêts, Ministère de l'Agriculture, 30 rue Alain Savary, 1002 TUNIS   (F)

Mlle Souad GUEBLAOUI, Vice-Consul de Tunisie, Consulat de Tunisie, 6 rue Schiller, 67000 STRASBOURG, France        (F)        Tel. 88 36 52 75          Fax 88 35 52 40

UKRAINE  Mr Y MOVCHAN (Apologised for absence/Excusé), Deputy Minister, Ministry for Environmental Protection of Ukraine, 5 Kieshehatyk Street, 252001 KIEV

Tel. 44 228 0641                     Fax 44 229 8383                     (E)

ORGANISATION FOR ECONOMIC COOPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT/

ORGANISATION DE COOPERATION ET DE DEVELOPPEMENT ECONOMIQUES (OECD/OCDE)  Apologised for absence/Excusé  

ECONOMIC COMMISSION FOR EUROPE/COMMISSION ECONOMIQUE POUR L'EUROPE (UN-ECE/ONU-CEE)  Apologised for absence/Excusé

Mr M. KOKINE, Environment & Human Settlements Division, United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, Palais des Nations, CH 1211 GENEVA 10, Suisse

UNITED NATIONS ENVIRONMENT PROGRAMME / PROGRAMME DES NATIONS UNIES POUR L'ENVIRONNEMENT (UNEP/PNUE)

UNITED NATIONS EDUCATION, SCIENTIFIC AND CULTURAL ORGANISATION /ORGANISATION DES NATIONS UNIES POUR L'EDUCATION, LA SCIENCE ET LA CULTURE (UNESCO)

SECRETARIAT OF THE CONVENTION ON THE CONSERVATION OF MIGRATORY

SPECIES OF WILD ANIMALS (BONN) / SECRETARIAT DE LA CONVENTION SUR LA CONSERVATION DES ESPECES MIGRATRICES APPARTENANT A LA FAUNE SAUVAGE (BONN) (UNEP/CMS : PNUE/CMS)  Mr Arnulf MÜLLER-HELMBRECHT, Co-ordinator, UNEP/CMS, Mallwitzstr. 1-3, D 53177 BONN            (E)

Tel. +49 228-954 3501 /2/3/4          Telex 885 556 bfn d    Fax +49 228-954 3500

SECRETARIAT OF THE CONVENTION ON WETLANDS OF INTERNATIONAL IMPORTANCE ESPECIALLY AS WATERFOWL HABITAT (RAMSAR) / SECRETARIAT DE LA CONVENTION RELATIVE AUX ZONES HUMIDES D'IMPORTANCE INTERNATIONALE PARTICULIEREMENT COMME HABITATS DES OISEAUX D'EAU (RAMSAR)  Mr Michael SMART, Assistant Secretary General, Ramsar Bureau, Rue Mauverney 28, CH 1196 GLAND, Suisse             (E)

Tel. 41 (022) 999 0171            Telex 41 96 05 IUCN CH      Fax 41 (022) 999 0169

SECRETARIAT OF THE CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES (CITES) /SECRETARIAT DE LA CONVENTION SUR LE COMMERCE INTERNATIONAL DES ESPECES SAUVAGES DE FAUNE ET DE FLORE MENACEES D'EXTINCTION (CITES)

SECRETARIAT OF THE PROTOCOL CONCERNING MEDITERRANEAN SPECIALLY PROTECTED AREAS (GENEVA) / SECRETARIAT DU PROTOCOLE RELATIF AUX AIRES SPECIALEMENT PROTEGES DE LA MEDITERRANEE (GENEVE)

Mr Mohamed SAIED, Director (Apologised for absence/excusé), Regional Activity Centre for Specially Protected Areas, 15 rue Ali Ibn Abi Taleb, Cité Jardins, 1002 TUNIS, Tunisie

Tel.                              Fax 216 1 797 349

SECRETARIAT OF THE CONVENTION FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA AGAINST POLLUTION (BARCELONA)/SECRETARIAT DE LA CONVENTION POUR LA PROTECTION DE LA MER MEDITERRANEE CONTRE LA POLLUTION (BARCELONA)  Apologised for absence/excusé

The Director, Coordinating Unit for the Mediterranean Action, UNEP, Leoforos Vassileos Konstantinou 48 (2nd floor), GR 116 35 ATHENS, Grèce   (E)

Tel. (301) 7253190-5  Telex 222564 MEDU-GR  Fax (301) 7253196-7

INTERIM SECRETARIAT OF THE CONVENTION ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY (RIO DE JANEIRO)/SECRETARIAT INTERIMAIRE DE LA CONVENTION SUR LA DIVERSITE BIOLOGIQUE (RIO DE JANEIRO)  (Apologised for absence/Excusé) 

Ms Angela CROPPER, Executive Secretary, Interim Secretariat, Convention on Biological Diversity, UNEP, 15 Chemin des Anémones, CP 356, CH 1219 CHATELAINE-GENEVA, Suisse  (E)   Tel. (41-22) 979-9111  Fax (41-22) 797-2512 

THE WORLD CONSERVATION UNION/L'UNION MONDIALE POUR LA NATURE (IUCN/UICN) Mr Cyrille de KLEMM, 21 rue de Dantzig, F 75015 PARIS (F)

(voir aussi SFDE/see also SFDE)

GREENPEACE  (Apologised for absence/Excusé)  Coordination, Political Unit, Keizersgracht 176, NL-1016 DW AMSTERDAM, Pays-Bas (E)

Tel (31) 20 523 6555               Telex  18775 GPINT NL        Fax (31) 20 523 6500 

WORLD WIDE FUND FOR NATURE-INTERNATIONAL / FONDS MONDIAL POUR LA NATURE-INTERNATIONAL (WWF)  Dr Christopher TYDEMAN, WWF-UK, Panda House, Weyside Park, Catteshall Lane, GB GODALMING Surrey GU7 1XR, Grande-Bretagne 

Tel. (44) 483 426444   Telex 859602 Fax (44) 483 426409   (E)

Ms Carol A HATTON (Apologised for absence/Excusé)

WORLD CONSERVATION MONITORING CENTRE / CENTRE MONDIAL DE SURVEILLANCE CONTINUE DE LA CONSERVATION DE LA NATURE (WCMC)

Apologised for absence/Excusé - Dr Tim JOHNSON, World Conservation Monitoring Centre, 219 Huntingdon Road, GB CAMBRIDGE CB3 0DL, Grande-Bretagne        (E)

Tel. +44 223 277314   Telex 817036 SCMU G   Fax +44 223 277136

BIRDLIFE INTERNATIONAL Mr Borja HEREDIA, Action Plans Coordinator, BirdLife International, Wellbrook Court, Girton Road, GB CAMBRIDGE CB3 0NA, Grande-Bretagne Tel. +44 223 - 277318 Fax + 44 223 277200            (E)

Mr John O'SULLIVAN, The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), The Lodge, GB SANDY Beds. SG19 2DL, Grande-Bretagne           (E)

Tel. 0767 680551                    Telex 82469                Fax 0767 683211

EUROGROUP FOR ANIMAL WELFARE

FEDERATION OF FIELD SPORTS ASSOCIATIONS OF THE EEC/ FEDERATION DES ASSOCIATIONS DE CHASSEURS DE LA CEE (FACE)

Dr Yves LECOCQ, Secrétaire Général, FACE, Rue F. Pelletier 82, B‑1040 BRUXELLES Belgique           Tel. 32-2/732 69 00             Fax 32-2/732 70 72   (F)

M. Charles LAGIER, FACE, 42 quai Joseph Gillet, 69004 LYON, France    (F)

Tel. 72 00 85 21                      Fax 72 00 86 66

INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR FALCONRY AND CONSERVATION OF BIRDS OF PREY / ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONALE DE LA FAUCONNERIE ET DE LA CONSERVATION DES OISEAUX DE PROIE   Mr Christian de COUNE, President, The International Association for Falconry and Conservation of Birds of Prey, Le Cochetay, B-4140 GOMZE-ANDOUMONT, Belgique               (E)                              

Tel. [32] 41 - 68 73 69 Fax (32) 41 - 68 60 59

MEDITERRANEAN ASSOCIATION TO SAVE THE SEA TURTLES

Mrs Lily VENIZELOS, Founder President, MEDASSET, (1) c/o Daphne Corp., 24 Park Towers, 2 Brick Street, GB LONDON W1Y 7DF, Grande-Bretagne Tel. +44 071-6290654

Fax +44 071-6290654  (2) MEDASSET, 1c Licavitou Str. GR 10672 ATHENS, Grèce

Tel. 01-3624971 (Athens)      Fax 01-7241007 (Athens)      (E/F)

Mr Max KASPAREK, Scientific Adviser, 1 Bleichstrasse, 69120 HEIDELBERG, Allemagne (E) Tel. +49 6221/475069           Fax +49 6221/471858

Mrs N. SCOTT

THE ROYAL SOCIETY FOR THE PROTECTION OF BIRDS / SOCIETE ROYALE POUR LA PROTECTION DES OISEAUX (RSPB)(see/voir BirdLife International)

SOCIETAS EUROPAEA HERPETOLOGICA (SEH) Mr Keith F. CORBETT, SEH Conservation Chair, c/o Herpetological Conservation Trust, 655A Christchurch Road, Boscombe, GB BOURNEMOUTH Dorset BH1 4AP, Grande-Bretagne  (E)

Tel. 202-391319 / 524035   Telex    Fax 202-392785

SWISS LEAGUE FOR NATURE PROTECTION / LIGUE SUISSE POUR LA PROTECTION DE LA NATURE (LSPN)  Mr Urs TESTER, Directeur du dép. Protection des Biotopes et des Espèces, Ligue Suisse pour la Protection de la Nature, Wartenbergstr. 22, CH 4020 BALE (E)

Tel. 41-61/312 74 42  Fax 41-61/312 74 47

FRENCH SOCIETY FOR ENVIRONMENTAL LAW/SOCIETE FRANCAISE POUR LE DROIT DE L'ENVIRONNEMENT (SFDE)

M. Cyrille de KLEMM, Vice-Président, Société française pour le Droit de l'Environnement,

21 rue de Dantzig, F 75015 PARIS (F)          (voir aussi UICN/see also IUCN)

Mme Claude-Hélène LAMBRECHTS, Secrétaire Générale, Société française pour le Droit de l'Environnement, Place d'Athènes, 67084 STRASBOURG CEDEX, France

Tel. 88 41 42 56 / 57  Fax 88 61 30 37                                  (F)

NATIONAL ANGLING UNION OF FRANCE/UNION NATIONALE DE LA PECHE EN FRANCE  M. Pierre BRUNET, Vice-Président, Union Nationale de la Pêche en France,  17 rue Bergère, 75009 PARIS    Tel. 48 24 96 00        (F)

NATIONAL SOCIETY FOR NATURE PROTECTION/SOCIETE NATIONALE DE PROTECTION DE LA NATURE ET D'ACCLIMATATION DE FRANCE (SNPN)

M. Jean-François ASMODÉ, Vice-président, Societé nationale de Protection de la Nature (France), 57 rue Cuvier, BP 405, 75221 PARIS CEDEX 05        (E/F)

Tel. +33/1-47 07 31 95          Fax +33/1-47 07 07 16

Mme Christine VINCENOT, Conseiller juridique, Societé nationale de Protection de la Nature (France), 57 rue Cuvier, BP 405, 75221 PARIS CEDEX 05  (F)

Tel. +33/1-47 07 31 95   Fax +33/1-47 07 07 16                                         

CLRAE/CPLRE          Apologised for absence/excusé

PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY/ASSEMBLEE PARLEMENTAIRE  Mme Leni ROBERT, Conseillère nationale, Seminarstrasse 24, CH-24000 BERNE (F) Tel. 31 44 96 43

Mr Peter HARDY, MP, House of Commons, GB-LONDON SW1A 0AA    (E)

                                                            CONSULTANTS

Dr Peter J. van HELSDINGEN, National Museum of Natural History, Raamsteeg 2, NL 2311 PL LEIDEN, Pays-Bas   (E) Tel. (31) 71 14 38 44   Fax (31) 71 12 48 23

Mr Peter KOOMEN, European Invertebrates, Rijksmuseum van Natuurlijke Historie, P.O. Box 9517, NL 2300 RA LEIDEN, Pays-Bas

                                                              SECRETARIAT

Mr Ferdinando ALBANESE, Director of Environment and Local Authorities / Directeur de l'Environnement et des Pouvoirs Locaux

Mr Jean-Pierre RIBAUT, Head of Environment Conservation and Management Division / Chef de la Division de la Protection et de la Gestion de l'Environnement

Mr Eladio FERNANDEZ-GALIANO, Administrator, Environment Conservation and Management Division / Division de la Protection et de la Gestion de l'Environnement

Mme Maguelonne DEJEANT-PONS, Administrator, Environment Conservation and Management Division / Division de la Protection et de la Gestion de l'Environnement

                                                            A P P E N D I X   2

                                                                  AGENDA

PART I - DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CONVENTION

1.         Opening of the meeting and adoption of the agenda

2.         Chairman's report and communications from the delegations and from the Secretariat.

            Reports from new Contracting Parties

3.         Development of the Convention

            3.1       Progress of the Convention in Africa and Eastern Europe.  Results of seminars

            3.2       Strategic issues:  what to do next ? Relationship with Biodiversity Convention and other international legal instruments

            3.3       States to be invited as observers to the 14th meeting

4.         Legal aspects

            4.1       Amendments to Appendix I (for flora of Azores, Madeira and the Canary Islands).  Proposal for annotation of the Appendices

            4.2       Interpretation of Articles 8 and 9 of the Convention

            4.3       Draft resolutions on species requiring specific habitat conservation measures and on endangered natural habitats requiring specific conservation measures

            4.4       Implementation of the Convention by Contracting Parties: follow up of recommendations.  A case study on Recommendations Nos. 6, 13 and 33

            4.5       Group of experts on the legal aspects of the introduction and reintroduction of wild species

            4.6       Biennial reports. Draft guidelines for 4-year reports.

PART II - THREATENED SPECIES AND HABITATS

5.         Threatened species and habitats

            5.1       Seminars and groups of experts

                        5.1.1    Seminar on the management of populations of threatened mammals            

                        5.1.2    Seminar on recovery plans for species of amphibians and reptiles

                        5.1.3    Workshop on management of Mediterranean wetlands                                      Meeting of MEDWET

                        5.1.4    Group of experts on conservation of plants in Appendix I (Rec.)           

                                    Group of experts on conservation of plants of Central Europe (Rec.)             

                        5.1.5    Group of experts on fish conservation (Rec. and draft amend. of App. IV)

            5.2       Reports

                        5.2.1    Report on habitat conservation for freshwater fish

                        5.2.2    Reports on threatened flora of Eastern Europe

                        5.2.3    Report on threatened amphibians and reptiles of Eastern Europe

                        5.2.4    Report on habitat types of special significance for large groups of                                invertebrates

                        5.2.5    Report on conservation of badgers (Meles meles)

            5.3       Action Plans for European globally threatened species: Birds

PART III - SPECIFIC SITES

6.         Specific sites

            6.1       Caretta caretta in Laganas Bay, Zakynthos (Greece)

            6.2       Bufo viridis and Eptesicus serotinus at Leimen (Germany)

            6.3       Areas of herpetile interest in Gulf of Orosei (Italy)

            6.4       Possible new files:

                        - Testudo hermanni in Maures (France)

                        - Dam project in the province of Salamanca (Spain)

                        - Caretta caretta in Patara (Turkey)

            6.5       Information on:

                        - Ursus arctos in the Pyrenees (France)

                        - Missolonghi wetlands (Greece)

                        - Dorset heathlands (United Kingdom)

                        - Bufo calamita in the Dingle Peninsula (Ireland)

                        - Reptiles in Totes Moor, Lower Saxony (Germany)

           

PART IV - WORK PROGRAMME AND OTHER ITEMS

7.         Frequency of meetings of the Standing Committee

8.         Programme of activities for 1994 ( and 1995 ? ).  Financing of activities

9.         Election of Chairman and Vice-Chairman

10.       Date and place of the 14th meeting, adoption of the report and other business

                                                            A P P E N D I X   3

                              LIST OF SPECIES TO BE ADDED TO APPENDIX I

                                  LISTE D'ESPECES A AJOUTER A L'ANNEXE I

                             1.  ENDEMIC SPECIES OF THE CANARY ISLANDS

                               1.  ESPECES ENDEMIQUES DES ILES CANARIES

    BORAGINACEAE

 1.        Echium handiense Svent.

 2.        Echium pininana Webb et Berth.

    CARYOPHYLLACEAE

 3.        Silene nocteolens Webb et Berth.

    CISTACEAE

 4.        Cistus chinamadensis Bañares & Romero

 5.        Helianthemum teneriffae Cosson

    COMPOSITAE

 6.        Cheirolophus duranii (Burchard) Holub

 7.        Cheirolophus falsisectus Montelongo et Moraleda

 8.        Cheirolophus ghomerythus (Svent.) Holub

 9.        Cheirolophus junonianus (Svent.) Holub

10.       Cheirolophus metlesicsii Montelongo

11.       Cheirolophus santosabreui Santos

12.       Cheirolophus satarataensis (Svent.) Holub

13.       Cheirolophus tagananensis (Svent.) Holub

14.       Helichrysum monogynum B.L. Burth. & Sunding

15.       Senecio hermosae Pitard

16.       Sonchus gandogeri Pitard

17.       Tanacetum o'shanahanii Febles. Marrero et Suárez

18.       Tolpis glabrescens Kämmer

    CRASSULACEAE

19.       Aeonium balsamiferum Webb et Berth.

20.       Monanthes wildpretii Bañares & Scholz

    CRUCIFERAE

21.       Crambe scoparia Svent.

    EUPHORBIACEAE

22.       Euphorbia bourgaeana Gay ex Boiss.

    LABIATAE

23.       Micromeria glomerata P. Pérez

24.       Micromeria leucantha Svent. ex Pérez

25.       Salvia herbanica Santos et Fernández

    LEGUMINOSAE

26.       Adenocarpus ombriosus Ceb. & Ort.

27.       Cicer canariensis Santos & Gweil

28.       Genista benehoavensis (Bolle ex Svent.) Del Arco

29.       Lotus maculatus Breitfeld

30.       Lotus eremiticus Santos

31.       Lotus pyranthus P. Perez

32.       Teline nervosa (Esteve) A. Hansen et Sund.

    ORCHIDACEAE

33.       Barlia metlesicsiaca Teschner

    PLANTAGINACEAE

34.       Plantago famarae Svent.

    PLUMBAGINACEAE

35.       Limonium fruticans (Webb) O. Kuntze

36.       Limonium perezii Stapf

37.       Limonium preauxii (Webb et Berth.) O. Kuntze

    ROSACEAE

38.       Bencomia exstipulata Svent.

    SANTALACEAE

39.       Kunkeliella canariensis Stearn

40.       Kunkeliella psilotoclada (Svent.) Stearn

2.  ENDEMIC SPECIES FROM AZORES AND MADEIRA

2.  ESPECES ENDEMIQUES DES AÇORES ET DE MADERE

                                                          AZORES / AÇORES

    PTERIDOPHYTA

    LYCOPODIACEAE

 1.        Diphasium madeirense (Wilee.) Rothm.

    ASPLENIACEAE

 2.        Asplenium azoricum Lovis

    GYMNOSPERMAE

    CUPRESACEAE

 3.        Juniperus brevifolia (Seub.) Antoine

    ANGIOSPERMAE

    BORAGINACEAE

 4.        Myosotis maritima Hochst. ex Seub.

    CARYOPHYLLACEAE

 5.        Cerastium azoricum Hochst.

    COMPOSITAE

 6.        Bellis azorica Hochst. ex Seub.

 7.        Leotodon filii (Hochst. ex Seub.) Paiva & Orm.

 8.        Pericallis malvifolia (L'Hér) B. Nord.

    DIPSACACEAE

 9.        Scabiosa nitens Roem. & Schult.

    ERICACEAE

10.       Daboecia azorica Tutin & Warb.

    GRAMINEAE

11.       Agrostis gracilaxa Franco

    LILIACEAE

12.       Smilax divaricata Sol. ex Wats.

    OLEACEAE

13.       Picconia azorica (Tutin) Knbol.

    POLYGONACEAE

14.       Rumex azoricus Rech.

    ROSACEAE

15.       Prunus lusitanica ssp. azorica (Moui.) Franco

    UMBELLIFERAE

16.       Ammi trifoliatum (Wats.) Trel.

17.       Chaerophylum azoricum Trel.

18.       Sanicula azorica Gunthn. ex Seub.

                                                        MADEIRA / MADERE

    ANGIOSPERMAE

    COMPOSITAE

 1.        Andryala crithmifolia Ait.

 2.        Calendula maderensis Dc.

 3.        Phagnalon benetii Lowe

    CRASSULACEAE

 4.        Aichrysum dumosum (Lowe) Praeg.

    CRUCIFERAE

 5.        Sinapidendron sempervivifolium Mnzs.

    CYPERACEAE

 6.        Carex malato-belizii Raymond

    GRAMINEAE

 7.        Deschampsia maderensis (Hack. et Bornm.) Buschm.

 8.        Phalaris maderensis (Mnzs.) Mnzs.

    LABIATAE

 9.        Teucrium abutiloides l'Her.

    LEGUMINOSAE

10.       Anthyllis lemanniana Lowe

    OLEACEAE

11.       Jasminum azoricum L.

    PLANTAGINACEAE

12.       Plantago malato-belizii Lawalree

    RHAMNACEAE

13.       Frangula azorica Tutin

    ROSACEAE

14.       Marcetella maderensis (Bornm.) Svent.

    UMBELLIFERAE

15.       Monizia edulis Lowe

    VIOLACEAE

16.       Viola paradoxa Lowe

                                                            A P P E N D I X   4

OPENING AND CLOSING OF FILES AND FOLLOW-UP TO RECOMMENDATIONS

1.         OPENING AND CLOSING OF FILES

            The purpose of the "files" is to find a satisfactory solution to problems encountered in implementing the Convention and to monitor as effectively as possible the means chosen to resolve them. 

A.        OPENING OF FILES            

1.         The Secretariat examines all letters sent to the Standing Committee of the Bern Convention ("the Convention") itself or to its Chairman or Secretariat by a Contracting Party, individual, non-governmental organisation or group of private persons containing a complaint about one or more Contracting Parties' failure to comply with one or more provisions of the Convention.

2.         The Secretariat, on the basis of the information available to it, and if necessary     requesting further information from the complainant, informs the Contracting Party (-ies) and decides whether to act on the complaint.  It ensures in particular that the complaint is not anonymous and examines, taking account of any procedures that may be pending at national and/or international level, whether the complaint is sufficiently serious to warrant examination at international level.

3.         Where it decides on such action, the Secretariat forwards the complaint to the Contracting Party or Parties concerned, seeking their opinion and, if necessary, further information.  It informs the Bureau of the action taken.

 

4.         The Contracting Parties must respond to the Secretariat's request within a period of about four months.

 

5.         In the light of the reply received, the Secretariat decides, in agreement with the Bureau, whether there are grounds for placing the complaint on the agenda for the next meeting of the Standing Committee.  The Contracting Party or Parties concerned are informed of this at least two months before the date of the meeting.

 

6.         In cases of urgency and in order to expedite the possible settlement of a difficulty between two meetings of the Standing Committee, the Bureau may decide, with the agreement of the Contracting Party concerned, to organise an on-site assessment.

 

7.         At the meeting of the Standing Committee, the Secretariat or - with the consent of the Chairman or a Contracting Party - an observer concerned in the matter explains the complaint and, depending on the circumstances, proposes that further information be awaited or requested, that a specific recommendation be adopted (see II below) or that an on-the-spot enquiry be conducted for the purpose of a more thorough examination in accordance with Rule 11 of the Rules of Procedure.

            In accordance with Rule 9 c. of the Rules of Procedure, proposals made by observers may be put to the vote if sponsored by a delegation.

8.         The Standing Committee then studies the complaint submitted and proposals formulated and decides in the absence of consensus and as required by Rules 8 c. of the Rules of Procedure, by a two-thirds majority of the votes cast, whether it is appropriate to open a file.

            If such is the case, the Standing Committee, also by consensus, or in the absence of consensus by a two-thirds majority of the votes cast, as required by Rule 8 b. of the Rules of Procedure, decides whether it is preferable to adopt a specific recommendation or to conduct an on-the-spot enquiry first.

9.         The recommendations adopted are communicated to the Contracting Parties for implementation and are public.

B.         CLOSING OF FILES

10.       If, after it has examined the report made by an expert following an on-the-spot enquiry or the report forwarded by the Contracting Party concerned as part of the follow-up to a specific recommendation (see paragraph 15 below), the Standing Committee finds that the difficulties relating to implementation of the Convention have been resolved, it decides by consensus, or in the absence of consensus by a two-thirds majority of the votes cast, as required under Rule 8 b. of the Rules of Procedure, to close the file.

II.        FOLLOW-UP TO RECOMMENDATIONS

           

            Article 14, paragraph 1, of the Convention states that:

            "l.        The Standing Committee shall be responsible for following the application of this Convention.  It may in particular:

            (...)

            - make recommendations to the Contracting Parties concerning measures to be taken for the purposes of this Convention;

            (...)."

            In accordance with the practice that has developed in recent years, the Standing Committee adopts two types of recommendation:

            - general recommendations pursuant to its general programme of action (recommendations arising in particular from meetings of groups of experts, the work of consultants or seminars);

            - specific recommendations following its examination of a file which it has decided to consider.  Specifically addressed to one or more Contracting Parties, these recommendations concern situations in which the implementation of the Convention raises, in a particular case, problems over the conservation of flora, fauna, or a natural habitat (for example, unsatisfactory protection of a species of fauna in a specified location).

            The recommendations constitute essential means of giving substance to the provisions of the Convention and may even constitute, in time, international customary law.  The monitoring of their follow-up is therefore fundamental.

            The Standing Committee also adopts guidelines.  Though more detailed than general recommendations, they nevertheless have comparable standing.  They offer guidance to the Contracting Parties on the action to be taken. 

A.        GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS AND GUIDELINES

11.       The follow-up to general recommendations or guidelines takes place mainly through general four-yearly reports in which the Contracting Parties concerned are invited to describe the legal and/or other measures taken to comply with the policies they propose.

12.       With the agreement of the Bureau, the Secretariat prepares a "Summary of General Recommendations/Guidelines" containing, for each of them:

-           the text of the general recommendation/guideline;

-           the information provided by the Contracting Party or Parties concerned and any expert's report that may have been prepared; and

-           a proposal that also takes account of any other available information.

13.       It is the responsibility of the Standing Committee, in the light of this information and after discussion, to decide - by consensus or in the absence of the consensus, by a two-thirds majority of the votes cast, as required under Rule 8 b. of the Rules of Procedure - on any measures which ought to be taken in respect of each general recommendation/guideline (plan or programme of action, strategy, training courses, technical or financial assistance, expert report, etc.).

            Where the follow-up to a general recommendation/guideline proves to be no longer necessary, the Standing Committee may decide - by consensus, or in the absence of consensus by a two-thirds majority of the votes cast, as required under Rule 8 b. of the Rules of Procedure - to consider that implementation is satisfactory.

B.         SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS 

 

14.       For the purpose of following up specific recommendations, the Secretariat writes to the Contracting Parties concerned asking them to submit a report summarising the legal and/or other measure or measures adopted to comply with the policies laid down in those recommendations.

15.       After receiving the reports, within a period of about four months, the Secretariat prepares, with the agreement of the Bureau, a "Summary of Specific Recommendations" containing, for each of them:

-           the text of the recommendation;

-           the report submitted by the Contracting Party or Parties concerned, any excessively bulky appendices or documentation included with the report being kept available for consultation at the Secretariat; and

-           a proposal that also takes account of any other available information.

16.       The Standing Committee decides in the light of this document and after discussion whether, in the case of each recommendation, the measure or measures adopted by the Contracting Party or Parties concerned are sufficient or not. It decides by consensus, or in the absence of consensus by a two-thirds majority of the votes cast, as required under Rule 8 b. of the Rules of Procedure:

a.         if the measures taken by the Contracting Party(ies) are sufficient, to consider that the implementation of the specific recommendation is satisfactory and to close the file (see paragraph 10 above);

b.         if, on the contrary, they are insufficient, to consider that the Contracting Party(ies) has(have) failed to comply with its(their) obligations under the Convention in the case concerned.

17.       If paragraph 16 b. above applies, the problem then arises as to the attitude to be taken by the Standing Committee in cases where, despite the maintenance of a specific recommendation, the Contracting Party(ies) to which it is addressed continue(s) not to implement it.  In this connection it is appropriate to refer to Article 18, paragraph 2 of the Convention, which provides for the possibility of recourse to arbitration for any dispute over the interpretation or application of the Convention.  The Standing Committee might look into this possibility and, in certain cases of particular gravity, invite one or more Contracting Parties to set in motion, on behalf of the Standing Committee, the procedure laid down in Article 18 of the Convention.

                                                ___________________________

A P P E N D I X   5

                            GUIDELINES FOR RECOVERY PLANS FOR SPECIES

                                            OF AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES

            General considerations. Recovery plans: the emphasis on the species

            Recovery plans are technical instruments aimed at restoring to satisfactory ecological levels populations which are threatened by extinction (or which risk severe genetic erosion) due to their small sizes and to the ecological changes of their habitats. They are designed to coordinate the actions needed to improve the conservation status of a species or a population of a species.  They are original conservation instruments in the sense that they do not refer only to one sectorial aspect of nature conservation (as protection of areas or hunting legislation), but pretend to integrate different policies (territorial, agriculture, transport, hunting, etc.) to a common, measurable, goal. It is precisely their integrated design and "global" ambition which makes them very difficult to implement.The elaboration of recovery plans and their implementation into recovery programmes may be considered as a responsibility of Parties of the Convention, according to the provisions of Article 2, which requires Parties to "take requisite measures to maintain the population of wild flora and fauna at, or to adapt it to, a level which corresponds to ecological requirements".

            The Standing Committee to the Bern Convention has always followed the principle of "obligation of results" to implement the Convention.  This implies that Parties are free to choose the mechanisms, procedures and instruments for acting, to comply with the obligations of the Convention, but that they are requested to show that the "results" of their actions satisfy the requirements of the Convention: the fact that some populations listed in Appendix II of the Convention have proven unsatisfactory conservation status can be sufficient to move the Standing Committee, pursuing the objectives of the Convention, to urge Parties to act.

            The species of amphibians and reptiles listed in appendix to these guidelines are believed by experts to be at risk.  Some species need recovery plans in all or part of their European range.  Others need to be further researched, to find out whether recovery plans are needed.  The following guidelines should help governments and conservation agencies in making such plans.

I.          IDENTIFICATION OF POPULATIONS REQUIRING RECOVERY PLANS

            Although it is suggested that some of the species require, at a European level, recovery plans (see appendix), this list is by no means comprehensive.  More complete surveys of threatened herpetiles need to be carried out at a national level.  Regular monitoring of some particularly vulnerable species, using detailed quantitative data, is also necessary.  Some criteria to be taken into account are :

            -           vulnerable and endangered populations;

            -           populations threatened by particular development projects or subject to continuous habitat loss;

            -           endemic species;

            -           highly fluctuating species;

            -           species which might be at risk from climatic change, such as those in upper parts of mountain ranges;

            -           species with very small distribution areas;

            -           species vulnerable to epidemics or other "catastrophic events";

            -           species restricted to rare or vulnerable habitats (coastal species, species depending on water catchments, etc);

            -           migratory species;

            -           isolated populations which are likely to represent unique genetic pools, such as populations at the edge of the distribution of a species, island species, species with very fragmented distribution, etc.

            International aspects should also be taken into account.  If needed, collaboration from other agencies or bodies having developed similar plans could be looked for.  Such collaboration aspects may be developed in the framework of the Bern Convention ant the Council of Europe or other international treaties and institutions.

            It is recommended that funding for recovery plans for herpetiles, such as those in the appendix, be considered a priority by funding institutions and plans (GEF and LIFE for instance).

II.        ELABORATION OF THE PLAN

            It is suggested that the team preparing the plan should involve the scientific and conservation community, as well as representatives of the different administrative authorities (regional and local) which will implement the plans.  The plans need to be, as far as possible, agreed texts.

            Other requirements would be a long term involvement of the different authorities, an appropriate budget, administrative structure and staff, a well identified responsible, and if needed, legal instrument.

            For migratory species, such as marine turtles, it would be convenient to set up international plans within the framework of the appropriate nature conservation convention.  Transboundary populations could benefit from common plans made by agreement of the states involved.  Local populations and the public need to be informed, and if necessary, involved in the making of the plan.

            Support for the plan has to be found in people responsible for economic activities that may make its implementation difficult.  The plan needs to have clearly defined and measurable goals as well as a time-scale for their achievement.  It has to be realistic and take into account economic and recreational requirements.  While scientific studies may help the writing of a plan, they cannot be their main objective, action having priority.

III.       CONTENTS OF THE PLAN

            The plan should contain information on the present and past causes of decline of the species (or population) and forecasts as to how these factors may evolve in the future.  Ex situ and in situ measures should not be contemplated as alternative conservation measures, but as complementary ones.

            Priority should be given to habitat conservation and habitat restoration in the natural range of the species, including present sites and those from which the species has been lost in recent times.  One should not attempt to extend the distribution area of a species to regions, however suitable, where there is no record of a previous presence of the species.

            Giving a protected status to sites where a species lives may help, but it offers no guarantees regarding the survival or improvement of a population.  The monitoring of populations in protected areas may be an important element of the plan.

            Habitat conservation should avoid, as far as possible, long-lasting conservation management as there is the risk (and temptation) to get involved in "nature gardening", a practice which has very little in common with sound conservation.  Maintenance or conservation of nature processes must be preferred to a high diversity of species obtained by artificial methods.

            While designing priority areas for conservation, genetic interconnections of neighbouring populations need to be taken into account.

IV.       IMPLEMENTATION

            A recovery plan needs to be periodically re-adapted to the new information on the populations that is likely to be obtained during the implementation phase.  It is convenient to keep a monitoring programme of the species or populations concerned, even after the recovery plan as such has been completed.  Results of the recovery plan should be made public in scientific and conservation journals.

                                                                        * * *

                                                    Appendix to the guidelines

***             Indicates a Recovery Plan need across the whole range.

 **             Indicates a Recovery Plan need in a significant part of the range.

  *              Indicates a Recovery Plan potential, dependant on field research.

no asterisk: Indicates the species is not a good target for recovery plans, but it is threatened

[ ]              The species is not listed in Appendix II of the Bern Convention    

Reptiles

TESTUDINES

Testudinidae

***    Testudo hermanni hermanni

  *    Testudo hermanni boettgeri

***    Testudo graeca graeca

  *    Testudo marginata

Emydidae

***    Emys orbicularis (in A,D,F,CH)

[***   Tryonyx triunguis]

Cheloniidae

***    Caretta caretta

***    Chelonia mydas

  

SAURIA

Gekkonidae

*      Phyllodactylus europaeus

[      Cyrtopodion kotschyi bartoni]

Chamaeleontidae

***    Chamaeleo chamaeleon

Lacertidae

**     Lacerta lepida (F,I)

***    Lacerta princeps kurdistanica

**     Lacerta agilis

*      Lacerta monticola bonnali

*      Lacerta monticola cyreni

*      Lacerta monticola monticola

       Lacerta bedriagae

[*     Lacerta clarkorum]

[*     Lacerta pamphyllica]

[*     Lacerta uzelli]

***    Gallotia (Lacerta) simonyi

[**    Gallotia atlantica]

**     Podarcis lilfordi

*      Podarcis filfolensis

**     Podarcis pityusensis

*      Podarcis milensis

[*     Podarcis wagleriana]

[*     Podarcis hispanica attrata]

[*     Psammodromus hispanicus

            edwardsianus]

[*     Eremias suphani]

Scincidae

*      Chalcides sexlineatus

*      Chalcides symonyii

OPHIDIA

[*     Eirenis thospitis]

[*     Eryx jaculus]

[*     Rhynchocalamus satunini]

Colubridae

*      Coluber najadum

*      Coluber (najadum) rubriceps

[*     Coluber cypriensis]

[*     Coluber ravergieri]

[*     Coluber jugularis caspius]

*      Elaphe situla

*      Elaphe quatuorlineata

**     Natrix tessellata

[***   Natrix megalocephala]

[      Natrix (natrix) corsa]

[***   Natrix (natrix) cetti]

[***   Natrix (natrix) schweizeri]

Viperidae

***    Vipera ursinii ursinii

***    Vipera (ursinii) moldavica

***    Vipera (ursinii) rakosiensis

***    Vipera (lebetina) schweizeri

***    Vipera kaznakovi

[***   Vipera wagneri]

[*     Vipera barani]

[      Vipera albizona]

[      Vipera pontica]

[*     Vipera bulgardaghica]

Amphibians/Amphibiens

CAUDATA

Salamandridae

***    Salamandra atra aurorae

*      Salamandra (Mertensiella) luschani

[*     Mertensiela caucasica]

[*     Neurergus spec.]

***    Chioglossa lusitanica

***    Euproctus platycephalus

**     Triturus cristatus

*      Triturus italicus

*      Triturus dobrogicus

*      Triturus karelinii

Plethodontidae

    Hydromantes genei

    Hydromantes flavus

    Hydromantes supramontes

    Hydromantes imperialis

    Hydromantes italicus

Proteidae

    Proteus anguinus

ANURA

Discoglossidae

**     Bombina bombina

[*     Discoglossus montalentii]

*      Alytes obstetricans (in S Spain)

***    Alytes muletensis

Pelobatidae

***    Pelobates fuscus insubricus

Bufonidae

**     Bufo calamita (A,B,D,IRL,

           LUX,NL,CH,SW,GB)

**     Bufo viridis

Hylidae

**     Hyla arborea (B,DK,D,LUX,NL,CH)

Ranidae

***    Rana latastei

[      Rana holtzi]

A P P E N D I X   6

RESOLUTION No. 2 (1993) ON THE SCOPE

OF ARTICLES 8 AND 9 OF THE BERN CONVENTION

            The Standing Committee of the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats, acting under the terms of Article 14 of the Convention;

            Considering that it would be useful to clarify the conditions laid down in Article 9 for the granting of exceptions and the submission of two-yearly reports on such exceptions;

            RECOMMENDS that the Contracting Parties bring the appended document, which contains useful information for interpreting the scope of Article 9, to the attention of all those responsible for applying and interpreting the Convention in their respective countries;

            RESOLVES that, in future, the reports which the Contracting Parties are required to submit every two years under Article 9 on the exceptions made from the provisions of Articles 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 shall cover only:

            a)         general exceptions;

            b)         individual exceptions if they are so numerous as to result in a generalised practice;

            c)         individual exceptions concerning more than 10 individuals of a species;

            d)         individual exceptions concerning individuals of endangered or vulnerable populations of species.

Appendix to Resolution No. 2

Interpretation of Articles 8 and 9 of the Convention

I.          PROHIBITED MEANS OF CAPTURE AND KILLING

1.         Article 8 of the Convention forbids, in respect of the species specified in Appendices III and II (in the case of exceptions under Article 9), the use of:

            a)         all indiscriminate means of capture and killing;

            b)         means capable of causing local disappearance of populations of a species; and

            c)         means capable of causing serious disturbance to populations of a species.

2.         Article 8 refers, in connection with the means forbidden, to Appendix IV of the Convention, which lists means and methods of hunting and other forbidden forms of exploitation, in respect of both animals and birds.

3.         It should be noted that some of the means forbidden under Appendix IV are not prohibited absolutely, but only in certain circumstances. Thus, the footnotes indicate that:

            a)         explosives are prohibited "except for whale hunting";

            b)         nets and traps are prohibited "if applied for large-scale or non-selective capture or killing";

            c)         snares are not allowed "except Lagopus north of latitude 58° North".

II.         EXCEPTIONS ALLOWED BY ARTICLE 9

4.         Article 9 allows exceptions to the provisions of a number of articles of the Bern Convention, and in particular derogations in respect of:

            a)         the capture and killing of the strictly protected species listed in Appendices I and II; and

            b)         the use of non-selective means of capture and killing and the other means prohibited in Article 8, in respect of the species listed in Appendices II and III.

5.         The possibility of derogating from the articles of the Convention is subject to two very clearly defined general conditions, and the non cumulative specific reasons for which the exceptions may be granted are listed exhaustively in Article 9.

6.         The two general conditions that must be met are:

            a)         that there is no other satisfactory solution; and

            b)         that the exception will not be detrimental to the survival of the population concerned.

7.         These two conditions are mandatory and cumulative, but the first raises a difficult problem of interpretation.

            The existence of another satisfactory solution should be appreciated by considering possible alternatives which, in fact, depend on the motives for the derogation whilst  ensuring that the survival of the population is not threatened.  Thus, for example, in the case of the first derogation under Article 9 (1), "for the protection of flora and fauna", alternatives must be taken into consideration which are likely to cause as little damage as possible to flora and fauna.  In the case of the last indent of paragraph 1, since the motives for the derogations are not spelled out in Article 9 and States are free to decide for what reasons derogations have to be granted, it is up to them to ensure that the condition "no other satisfactory solution" is satisfied.  The Standing Committee of the Bern Convention can only examine this condition if the State who presents the report on derogations based on the last indent, states spontaneously the motive for the derogation.

8.         If the two general conditions indicated at paragraph 10 above are fulfilled, exceptions are allowed:

            i)          for the protection of flora and fauna;

            ii)         to prevent serious damage to crops, livestock, forests, fisheries, water and other forms of property;

            iii)        in the interests of public health and safety, air safety or other overriding public interests;

            iv)        for the purposes of research and education, of repopulation, of reintroduction and for the necessary breeding;

            v)         to permit, under strictly supervised conditions, on a selective basis and to a limited extent, the taking, keeping or other judicious exploitation of certain wild animals and plants in small numbers.

9.         There is an important difference between the reasons given under 12 i) to iv) above and those given under v). In the first case, the Convention specifies the purpose of the exception (protection of flora and fauna, prevention of serious damage to crops, interests of health, etc), whereas in the second the Convention merely specifies the characteristics of the means to be used, without indicating the purpose for which the exception is granted.

10.       The relevant characteristics are:

-           the possibility of strictly controlling the use of the means of capture or killing;

-           the selective nature of the means used; and

-           the limited numbers of individuals whose taking, keeping or other judicious exploitation are permitted.

11.       From the differing nature of the exceptions contained in the last indent of paragraph 1 of Article 9, it follows that these exceptions, while they conform to the general conditions indicated in paragraph 10 above and the special characteristics indicated in paragraph 14 above:

            a)         may be decided by a Contracting Party for any reason which to it seems valid (for instance, hunting, recreation, etc) and without any reason having to be given;

            b)         may not necessarily be temporary, in other words they may be granted permanently, or at the very least renewed from time to time.

It can be taken that, from the legal angle, the application of the conditions laid down in Article 9 remains the same irrespective of the species in question, with no possibility of a distinction being drawn on the basis of the Appendices in which the species appears.  When it comes to interpreting the conditions themselves, however, regard may be had to the state of populations of species.  The expression "small numbers" may thus be construed in the light of the state of preservation of the population of a species.

12.       It follows from the above that in the case of this exception the Standing Committee of the Bern Convention is not required to check the merits of the purpose of the exception, but to ensure that the other conditions are satisfied, ie:

            a)         The provision "under strictly supervised conditions" means that the authority granting the exception must possess the necessary means for checking on such exceptions either beforehand (eg, a system of individual authorisations) or afterwards (eg, effective on-the-spot supervision), or also combining the two possibilities;

            b)         The expression "on a selective basis" raises difficult problems of interpretation in view of its apparent contradiction with the wording of Article 9 in that it could lead to the following paradox: exceptions to the prohibition of using the non-selective means mentioned in Article 8 are permitted provided that the capture is done on a selective basis. In reality, this contradiction disappears if the indent in question is interpreted in the following manner: the non-selective means may be used provided it is used for the purpose of permitting the "taking, keeping or other judicious exploitation" on a selective basis. In other words, the means used must allow the individuals of the species in question to be kept ("selection") and those of other species to be released without harm.  In other words, the means used must either allow individuals of the species in question to be kept ("selection") and those of other species to be released unharmed or enable the capture of individuals of the species to be avoided by appropriate methods, or else permit a combination of the two.  The expression "judicious exploitation" denotes that any taking, keeping or killing allowed by way of an exception must be "reasonable", as distinct from any "excessive" action that would prejudice the conservation of the populations concerned in favourable conditions. The expression "exploitation" refers to any activity other than the taking and keeping of individuals of a species, such as the taking of eggs, the use of down, selling, and the offensive viewing of animals by tourists, etc.  Such exploitation must nonetheless be "judicious", ie carried out in a reasonable manner, without any excessive action liable to prejudice the conservation of the populations of the species concerned in favourable conditions;

            c)         The expression "to a limited extent" suggests that the means authorised should not be general, but should be limited in both space and time;

            d)         The expression "small numbers" is more difficult to interpret, especially if considered from a global point of view. How, in fact, can "small numbers" be defined at national or regional levels? In contrast, if applied to the individual granted the exception, the expression acquires a meaning in that the means employed must not allow the whole-scale taking of members of the species concerned. Of course, from an overall point of view, the introductory sentence of paragraph 1 of Article 9 still applies since the number of persons granted exceptions must not be such as to be detrimental "to the survival of the population concerned".

13.       Although not related to Article 8, the third indent of paragraph 1 of Article 9 raises a very difficult problem, namely the interpretation of the expression "other overriding public interests".

14.       With regard to the definition of the scope of similar concepts, eg "public order", experience with other international conventions (including the European Convention on Human Rights) has in fact shown that it is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to find a general, prior interpretation for such concepts.

15.       In contrast, the bodies responsible for interpreting these conventions have powers to establish whether a particular case is justified on the grounds put forward, in this case "other overriding public interests". Consequently, if the grounds in question were put forward, the

Standing Committee of the Bern Convention could assess the merits of the exception in the light of all the provisions contained in the Convention. Article 18 could be applied in the event of difficulties.

16.       A further worrying question that arises in connection with Article 9, paragraph 1, second sub-paragraph, is that of how to interpret "serious damage" (to crops, livestock, forests, fisheries, water and other forms of property).  If "damage" is taken to mean prejudice sustained by a person as a result of damage caused to those items of property that are listed in Article 9, paragraph 1, second sub-paragraph, and it seems legitimate to do so, then the adjective "serious" must be evaluated in terms of the intensity and duration of the prejudicial action, the direct or indirect links between that action and the results, and the scale of the destruction or deterioration committed.  "Serious" does not, of course, necessarily mean that the damage was widespread:  in some cases the item of property affected may cover only a limited geographical area (for example, a region), or even a particular farm or group of farms.  However, in the latter case, the exceptions must be proportional:  the fact that an isolated farm sustains damage would not justify the capture or killing of a species over a very wide area, unless there is evidence that the damage could extend to other areas.

                                                            A P P E N D I X   7

                                    Convention on the Conservation

                                    of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats

                                    Standing Committee

Recommendation No. 40 (1993)

on the elaboration of conservation or recovery plans

for species in Appendix I to the convention

The Standing Committee of the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats, acting under the terms of Article 14 of the convention,

Having regard to the aims of the convention to conserve wild flora and fauna and their natural habitats;

Recalling that Article 5, paragraph 1, of the convention requires that Contracting Parties take appropriate and necessary legislative and administrative measures to ensure the special protection of the wild flora species specified in Appendix I;

Recalling that Article 1, paragraph 2, of the convention requires that Contracting Parties give particular emphasis to the conservation of endangered and vulnerable species;

Considering that most of the species listed in the appendix are endangered or vulnerable species;

Referring to its Recommendation No. 30 (1991) on conservation of species in Appendix I to the convention;

Noting with satisfaction that some Contracting Parties have already formulated and are at present implementing conservation or recovery plans for some endangered and vulnerable species listed in Appendix I to the convention;

Desirous that more Contracting Parties engage in similar exercises;

Conscious of the need to launch simultaneously in different states conservation or recovery plans for some Appendix I species which are threatened throughout all or most parts of its European range;

Recommends that the Contracting Parties:

1.         formulate and implement conservation or recovery plans for some endangered or vulnerable endemic species listed in Appendix I to the Convention for which the plans are found useful by the Parties;

2.         formulate and implement conservation or recovery plans for some Appendix I species which are endangered or vulnerable in all or part of their European range, such as those in the appendix to this recommendation, which have been identified as requiring conservation or recovery plans in the territory of several Contracting Parties;

3.         inform the Standing Committee on the progress of the above recommended plans, as well as of other similar plans for other plant species.

Appendix to the recommendation

Examples of Appendix I species identified as requiring conservation or recovery plans in the territory of several Contracting Parties

PTERIDOPHYTA

OPHIOGLOSSACEAE

Botrychium simplex Hitchc.

ANGIOSPERMAE

COMPOSITAE

Ligularia sibirica (L.) Cass.

DROSERACEAE

Aldrovanda vesiculosa L.

GRAMINEAE

Coleanthus subtilis (Tratt.) Seidl

NAJADACEAE

Najas flexilis (Willd.) Rostk. & W.L.Schmidt

ORCHIDACEAE

Cypripedium calceolus L.

Liparis loeselii (L.) Rich.

RANUNCULACEAE

Pulsatilla patens (L.) Miller

SANTALACEAE

Thesium ebracteatum Hayne

SAXIFRAGACEAE

Saxifraga hirculus L.

TRAPACEAE

Trapa natans L.

UMBELLIFERAE

Angelica palustris (Besser) Hoffman

BRYOPHYTA

BRYOPSIDA: MUSCI

BUXBAUMIACEAE

Buxbaumia viridis (Moug. ex Lam. & DC.) Brid. ex Moug. & Nestl.

                                                            A P P E N D I X   8

                                                    APPENDIX II / ANNEXE II

                                      STRICTLY PROTECTED FAUNA SPECIES

                              ESPECES DE FAUNE STRICTEMENT PROTEGEES

                                                 VERTEBRATES / VERTEBRES

Mammals/Mammifères

INSECTIVORA

            Erinaceidae

*                       Atelerix algirus (Erinaceus

                                    algirus)

            Soricidae

*                       Crocidura suaveolens

                                    ariadne

                                    (Crodidura ariadne)

*                       Crocidura russula cypria

                                    (Crocidura cypria)

                        Crocidura canariensis

            Talpidae

                        Galemys pyrenaicus

                                    (Desmana pyrenaica)

MICROCHIROPTERA

                        all species except

                        Pipistrellus pipistrellus

                        toutes les espèces à

                        l'exception de

                        Pipistrellus pipistrellus

RODENTIA

            Sciuridae

                        Sciurus anomalus

*                       Spermophilus citellus

                                    (Citellus citellus)

                        Pteromys volans

                                    (Sciuropterus

                                    russicus)

            Cricetidae

                        Cricetus cricetus

            Microtidae

*                       Microtus babaricus

                                    (Pitymys bavaricus)

            Zapodidae

                        Sicista betulina

                        Sicista subtilis

            Hystricidae

                        Hystrix cristata

CARNIVORA

            Canidae

                        Canis lupus

                        Alopex lagopus

            Ursidae

                        all species/

                        toutes les espèces

            Mustelidae

                        Mustela lutreola (Lutreola

                                    lutreola)

                        Lutra lutra

                        Gulo gulo

            Felidae

                        Felis silvestris

*                       Lynx pardellus (Lynx

                                    pardina)

                        Panthera pardus

                        Panthera tigris

            Odobenidae

                        Odobenus rosmarus

            Phocidae

                        Monachus monachus

ARTIODACTYLA

            Cervidae

                        Cervus elaphus corsicanus

            Bovidae

                        Capra aegagrus

                        Capra pyrenaica pyrenaica

                        Rupicapra rupicapra ornata

                        Ovibos moschatus

CETACEA

            Delphinidae

                        Orcinus orca

                        Pseudoroa crassidens

                        Grampus griseus

                        Globicephala melaena

                        Delphinus delphis

                        Tursiops truncatus (tursio)

                        Lagenorhynchus acutus

                        Lagenorhynchus albirostris

                        Steno bredanensis

                        Stenella coeruleoalba

            Phocaenidae

                        Phocaena phocaena

            Ziphiidae

                        Hyperoodon rostratus

                        Mesoplodon mirus

                        Mesoplodon bidens

                        Ziphius cavirostris

            Balaenopteridae

                        Sibbaldus (Balaenoptera)

                                    musculus

                        Megaptera novaengliae

                                    (longimana, nodosa)

            Balaenidae

                        Eubalaena glacialis

                        Balaena mysticetus

Birds/Oiseaux

GAVIIFORMES

            Gaviidae

                        all species/

                        toutes les espèces

PODICIPEDIFORMES

            Podicipedidae

                        Podiceps griseigena

                        Podiceps auritus

                        Podiceps nigricollis

                                    (caspicus)

                        Podiceps ruficollis

PROCELLARIIFORMES

            Hydrobatidae

                        all species/

                        toutes les espèces

            Procellariidae

                        Bulweria bulwerii

                        Procellaria diomedea

                        Puffinus puffinus

                        Puffinus assimilis baroli

                        Pterodroma madeira

                        Pterodroma feae

PELECANIFORMES

            Phalacrocoracidae

                        Phalocrocorax pygmaeus

            Pelecanidae

                        all species/

                        toutes les espèces

CICONIIFORMES

            Ardeidae

                        Ardea purpurea

                        Casmerodius albus (Egretta

                                    alba)

                        Egretta garzetta

                        Ardeola ralloides

                        Bulbucus (Ardeola) ibis

                        Nycticorax nycticorax

                        Ixobrychus minutus

                        Botaurus stellaris

            Ciconiidae

                        all species/

                        toutes les espèces

            Threskiornithidae

                        all species/

                        toutes les espèces

            Phoenicopteridae

                        Phoenicopterus ruber

ANSERIFORMES

            Anatidae

                        Cygnus cygnus

                        Cygnus bewickii

                                    (columbianus)

                        Anser erythropus

                        Branta leucopsis

                        Branta ruficollis

                        Tadorna tadorna

                        Tadorna ferruginea

                        Marmaronetta (Anas)

                                    angustirostris

                        Somateria spectabilis

                        Polysticta stelleri

                        Histrionicus histrionicus

                        Bucephala islandica

                        Mergus albellus

                        Oxyura leucocephala

FALCONIFORMES

            all species/

            toutes les espèces

GALLIFORMES

            Tetraonidae

                        Tetrao urogallus cantabricus

GRUIFORMES

            Turnicidae

                        Turnix sylvatica

            Gruidae

                        all species/

                        toutes les espèces

            Rallidae

                        Porzana porzana

                        Porzana pusilla

                        Porzana parva

                        Crex crex

                        Porphyrio porphyrio

                        Fulica cristata

            Otitidae

                        all species/

                        toutes les espèces

CHARADRIIFORMES

            Charadriidae

                        Hoplopterus spinosus

                        Charadrius hiaticula

                        Charadrius dubius

                        Charadrius alexandrinus

                        Charadrius leschenaulti

                        Eudromias morinellus

                        Arenaria interpres

            Scolopacidae

                        Gallinago media

                        Numenius tenuirostris

                        Tringa stagnatilis

                        Tringa ochropus

                        Tringa glareola

                        Tringa hypoleucos

                        Tringa cinerea

                        Calidris minuta

                        Calidris temminckii

                        Calidris maritima

                        Calidris alpina

                        Calidris ferruginea

                        Calidris alba

                        Limicola falcinellus

            Recurvirostridae

                        all species/

                        toutes les espèces

            Phalaropodidae

                        all species/

                        toutes les espèces

            Burhinidae

                        Burhinus oedicnemus

            Glareolidae

                        all species/

                        toutes les espèces

            Laridae

                        Pagophila eburnea

                        Larus audouinii

                        Larus melanocephalus

                        Larus genei

                        Larus minutus

                        Larus (Xenia) sabini

                        Chlidonias niger

                        Chlidonias leucopterus

                        Chlidonias hybrida

                        Gelochelidon nilotica

                        Hydroprogne caspia

                        Sterna hirundo

                        Sterna paradisaea (macrura)

                        Sterna dougallii

                        Sterna albifrons

                        Sterna sandvicensis

COLUMBIFORMES

            Pteroclididae

                        all species/

                        toutes les espèces

            Columbidae

                        Columba bollii

                        Columba junoniae

CUCULIFORMES

            Cuculidae

                        Clamator glandarius

STRIGIFORMES

                        all species/

                        toutes les espèces

CAPRIMULGIFORMES

            Caprimulgidae

                        all species/

                        toutes les espèces

APODIFORMES

            Apodidae

                        Apus pallidus

                        Apus melba

                        Apus caffer

                        Apus unicolor

CORACIIFORMES

            Alcedinidae

                        Alcedo atthis

                        Ceryle rudis

                        Halcyon smyrnensis

            Meropidae

                        Merops apiaster

            Coraciidae

                        Coracias garrulus

            Upopidae

                        Upopa epops

PICIFORMES

                        all species/

                        toutes les espèces

PASSERIFORMES

            Alaudidae       

                        Calandrella brachydactyla

                        Calendrella rufescens

                        Melanocorypha bimaculata

                        Melanocorypha calandra

                        Melanocorypha leucoptera

                        Melanocorypha yeltoniensis

                        Galerida theklae

                        Chersophilus duponti

                        Eremophila alpestris

            Hirundinidae

                        all species/

                        toutes les espèces

            Motacillidae

                        all species/

                        toutes les espèces

            Pycnonotidae

                        Pycnonotus barbatus

            Laniidae

                        all species/

                        toutes les espèces

            Bombycillidae

                        Bombycilla garrulus

            Cinclidae

                        Cinclus cinclus

            Troglodytidae

                        Troglodytes troglodytes

            Prunellidae

                        all species/

                        toutes les espèces

            Muscicapidae

                                    Turdinae

                        Saxicola rubetra

                        Saxicola torquata

                        Saxicola dacotiae

                        Oenanthe oenanthe

                        Oenanthe pleschanka

                                    (leucomela)

                        Oenanthe hispanica

                        Oenanthe isabellina

                        Oenanthe leucura

                        Oenanthe finischii

                        Cercotrichas galactotes

                        Monticola saxatilis

                        Monticola solitarius

                        Turdus torquatus

                        Phoenicurus ochruros

                        Phoenicurus phoenicurus

                        Erithacus rubecula

                        Luscinia megarhynchos

                        Luscinia luscinia

                        Luscinia (Cyanosylvia)

                                    svecica

                        Tarsiger cyanurus

                        Irania gutturalis

                                    Sylviinae

                        all species/

                        toutes les espèces

                                    Regulinae

                        all species/

                        toutes les espèces

                                    Muscicapinae

                        all species/

                        toutes les espèces

                                    Timaliinae

                        Panurus biarmicus

            Paridae

                        all species/

                        toutes les espèces

            Sittidae

                        all species/

                        toutes les espèces

            Certhiidae

                        all species/

                        toutes les espèces

            Emberizidae

                        Emberiza citrinella

                        Emberiza leucocephala

                        Emberiza cirlus

                        Emberiza cineracea

                        Emberiza caesia

                        Emberiza cia

                        Emberiza schoeniclus

                        Emberiza melanocephala

                        Emberiza aureola

                        Emberiza pusilla

                        Emberiza rustica

                        Plectrophenax nivalis

                        Calcarius lapponicus

            Fringillidae

                        Carduelis chloris

                        Carduelis carduelis

                        Carduelis spinus

                        Carduelis flavirostris

                        Carduelis cannabina

                        Carduelis flammea

                        Carduelis hornemanni

                        Serinus citrinella

                        Serinus serinus

                        Serinus pusillus

                        Loxia curvirostra

                        Loxia pityopsittacus

                        Loxia leucoptera

                        Loxia scotica

                        Pinicola enucleator

                        Carpodacus erythrinus

                        Rhodopechys githaginea

                        Coccothraustes

                                    coccothraustes

                        Fringilla teydea

            Ploceidae

                        Petronia petronia

                        Montrifringilla nivalis

            Sturnidae

                        Sturnus unicolor

                        Sturnus roseus

            Oriolidae

                        Oriolus oriolus

            Corvidae

                        Perisoreus infaustus

                        Cyanopica cyanus

                        Nucifraga caryocatactes

                        Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax

                        Pyrrhocorax graculus

Reptiles

TESTUDINES

            Testudinidae

                        Testudo hermanni

                        Testudo graeca

                        Testudo marginata

            Emydidae

                        Emys orbicularis

*                       Mauremys caspica ¹

            Dermochelyidae

                        Dermochelys coriacea

            Cheloniidae

                        Caretta caretta

                        Lepidochelys kempii

                        Chelonia mydas

                        Eretmochelys imbricata

SAURIA

            Gekkonidae

                        Tarentola delalandii

                        Tarentola boettgeri

                        Tarentola angustimentalis

                        Tarentola gomerensis

                        Phyllodactylus europaeus

                        Cyrtodactylus kotschyi

            Agamidae

*                       Stellio stellio (Agama stellio)

            Chamaeleontidae

                        Chamaeleo chamaeleon

            Lacertidae

*                       Archaeolacerta bedriagae

                                    (Lacerta bedriagae)

*                       Archaeolacerta monticola

                                    (Lacerta monticola)

                        Algyroides nigropunctatus

                        Algyroides moreoticus

                        Algyroides fitzingeri

                        Algyroides marchi

                        Ophisops elegans

                        Lacerta lepida

                        Lacerta parva

                        Lacerta princeps

                        Lacerta viridis

                        Lacerta schreiberi

                        Lacerta trilineata

                        Lacerta agilis

                        Lacerta horvathi

                        Lacerta graeca

                        Lacerta dugesii

*                       Gallotia simonyi

                                    (Lacerta simonyi)

                        Gallotia galloti

                        Gallotia stehlini

                        Podarcis muralis

                        Podarcis lilfordi

                        Podarcis sicula

                        Podarcis filfolensis

                        Podarcis pityusensis

                        Podarcis tiliguerta

                        Podarcis wagleriana

                        Podarcis melisellensis

                        Podarcis taurica

                        Podarcis erhardii

                        Podarcis peloponnesiaca

                        Podarcis milensis

            Anguidae

                        Ophisaurus apodus

            Scincidae

                        Ablepharus kitaibelii

                        Chalcides ocellatus

                        Chalcides bedriagai

                        Chalcides viridianus

                        Chalcides sexlineatus

*                       Chalcides simonyi

                                    (Chalcides

                                    occidentalis)

                        Ophiomorus punctatissimus

OPHIDIA

            Colubridae

                        Coluber hippocrepis

*                       Coluber najadum ²

                        Coluber viridiflavus

                        Coluber gemonensis

*                       Coluber jugularis ³

                        Elaphe situla

                        Elaphe quatuorlineata

                        Elaphe longissima

                        Natrix tessellata

                        Coronella austriaca

                        Telescopus fallax

            Viperidae

                        Vipera ursinii

                        Vipera latasti

                        Vipera ammodytes

                        Vipera xanthina

*                       Vipera lebetina ⁴

                        Vipera kaznakovi

Amphibians/Amphibiens

CAUDATA

            Salamandridae

*                       Mertensiella luschani

                                    (Salamandra

                                    luschani)

*                       Salamandra atra ⁵

                        Salamandrina terdigitata

                        Chioglossa lusitanica

                        Euproctus asper

                        Euproctus montanus

                        Euproctus platycephalus

                        Triturus cristatus

                        Triturus montandoni

                        Triturus italicus

                        Triturus carnifex

                        Triturus dobrogicus

                        Triturus karelinii

            Plethodontidae

*                       Speleomantes genei

                                    (Hydromantes genei)

*                       Speleomantes flavus

                                    (Hydromantes

                                    flavus)

*                       Speleomantes supramontis

                                    (Hydromantes

                                    supramontis)

*                       Speleomantes imperialis

                                    (Hydromantes

                                    imperialis)

*                       Speleomantes italicus

                                    (Hydromantes

                                    italicus)

            Proteidae

                        Proteus anguinus

ANURA

            Discoglossidae

                        Bombina variegata

                        Bombina bombina

                        Discoglossus pictus

                        Discoglossus galganoiDiscoglossus sardus

                        Discoglossus jeanneae

                        Alytes obstetricans

                        Alytes cisternasii

                        Alytes muletensis

            Pelobatidae

                        Pelobates cultripes

                        Pelobates fuscus                     Pelobates syriacus

                        Pelodytes caucasicus

            Bufonidae

                        Bufo calamita

                        Bufo viridis

            Hylidae

                        Hyla arborea

                        Hyla meridionalis

                        Hyla sarda

            Ranidae

                        Rana arvalis

                        Rana dalmatina

                        Rana latastei

                        Rana iberica

                        Rana italica

Fish/Poissons

ACIPENSERIFORMES

            Acipenseridae

                        Acipenser naccarii

SALMONIFORMES

            Umbridae

                        Umbra krameri

ATHERINIFORMES

            Cyprinodontidae

                        Valencia hispanica

PERCIFORMES

            Percidae

                        Zingel asper

                                            INVERTEBRATES / INVERTEBRES

Arthropods/Arthropodes

INSECTA

            Mantodea

                        Apteromantis aptera

            Odonata

                        Calopteryx syriaca

                        Sympecma braueri

                        Coenagrion freyi

                        Coenagrion mercuriale

                        Aeshna viridis

                        Stylurus (= Gomphus)

                                    flavipes

                        Gomphus graslinii

                        Ophiogomphus cecilia

                        Lindenia tetraphylla

                        Cordulegaster trinacriae

                        Oxygastra curtisii

                        Macromia splendens

                        Brachythemis fuscopalliata

                        Leucorrhinia albifrons

                        Leucorrhinia caudalis

                        Leucorrhinia pectoralis

            Orthoptera

                        Baetica ustulata

                        Saga pedo

            Coleoptera

                        Carabus olympiae

                        Dytiscus latissimus

                        Graphoderus bilineatus

                        Osmoderma eremita

                        Buprestis splendens

                        Cucujus cinnaberinus

                        Cerambyx cerdo

                        Rosalia alpina

            Lepidoptera

                        Papilio hospiton

                        Papilio alexanor

                        Zerynthia polyxena

                        Parnassius apollo

                        Parnassius mnemosyne

                        Apatura metis

                        Fabriciana elisa

                        Euphydryas (Eurodryas)

                                    aurinia

                        Melanargia arge

                        Erebia christi

                        Erebia sudetica

                        Erebia calcaria

                        Coenonympha hero

                        Coenonympha oedippus

                        Lopinga achine

                        Lycaena dispar

                        Maculinea arion

                        Maculinea teleius

                        Maculinea nausithous

                        Plebicula golgus

                        Hypodryas maturna

                        Eriogaster catax

                        Hyles hippophaes

                        Proserpinus prosperpina

ARACHNIDA

            Araneae

                        Macrothele calpeiana

Molluscs/Mollusques

GASTROPODA

            Stylommatophora

                        Leiostyla abbreviata

                        Leiostyla cassida

                        Leiostyla corneocostata

                        Leiostyla gibba

                        Leiostyla lamellosa

                        Geomalacus maculosus

                        Caseolus calculus

                        Caseolus commixta

                        Caseolus sphaerula

                        Discula leacockiana

                        Discula tabellata

                        Discula testudinalis

                        Discula turricula

                        Geomitra moniziana

                        Helix subplicata

                        Discus guerinianus

*                       Discus defloratus  ⁶

                        Elona quimperiana

BIVALVIA

            Unionoida

                        Margaritifera auricularia

Notes to Appendix II

On 3 December 1993 the Standing Committee to the Convention adopted the following Recommendation (No. 39 (1993)):

The Standing Committee of the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats, acting under the terms of Article 14 of the convention recommends that Contracting Parties take into consideration the following technical notes while implementing the convention. Asterisks have been written where the name of the species has been changed to a more recent one, but the old name is kept in bracets. Footnotes have been used to update taxonomically some taxa.

Le 3 décembre 1993, le Comité permanent de la Convention a adopté la Recommandation suivante

(n°39 (1993)):

                Le Comité permanent de la Convention relative à la conservation de la vie sauvage et du milieu naturel de l'Europe, agissant en vertu de l'article 14 de la convention, recommande aux Parties contractantes de prendre en considération les observations techniques suivantes dans la mise en œuvre de la convention. Des astérisques ont été ajoutés lorsque le nom de l'espèce a été modifié, mais l'ancien nom est conservé entre parenthèses. Des notes en bas de page ont été utilisées pour mettre à jour certaines espèces du point de vue taxonomique.

¹  Mauremys caspica has been divided into two new species:

¹  Mauremys caspica a été divisée en deux espèces:

                                                Mauremys caspica

                                                Mauremys leprosa (Mauremys caspica leprosa)

²  Coluber najadum has been divided into two new species:

²  Coluber najadum a été divisée en deux espèces:

                                                Coluber najadum

                                                Coluber rubriceps (Coluber najadum rubriceps)

³ Coluber jugularis has been divided into two new species:

³ Coluber jugularis a été divisée en deux espèces:

                                                Coluber jugularis

                                                Coluber caspicus (Coluber jugularis caspicus)

⁴ Vipera lebetina has been divided into two new species:

⁴ Vipera lebetina a été divisée en deux espèces:

                                                Vipera lebetina

                                                Vipera schweizeri (Vipera lebetina schweizeri)

⁵ Salamandra atra has been divided into two new species:

⁵ Salamandra atra a été divisée en deux espèces:

                                                Salamandra atra

                                                Salamandra lanzai (Salamandra atra lanzai)

⁶ Discus defloratus : This species is no longer recognised as a taxonomically valid species as it was described from a few specimens, now recognised as belonging to a different species of Discus.

⁶ Discus defloratus : N'est plus reconnue comme une espèce valide du point de vue taxonomique étant donné qu'elle a été décrite à partir de quelques spécimens seulement; désormais reconnue comme appartenant à une espèce différente de Discus.

                                                            A P P E N D I X   9

 

DRAFT (INFORMAL) PROPOSAL FOR AMENDMENT OF APPENDIX IV

FOR FRESHWATER FISH

Prohibited means and methods of killing, capture and other forms of exploitation

                                                                       FISH

                        Explosives

                        Firearms

                        Poisons

                        Anaesthetics

                        Electricity

                       

                        Ripping ¹

                        Use of gaffs ²

                        Spears

                        Artificial light sources

                ¹Defined as any method which aims at hooking fish anywhere except in the mouth

                        (French: grappinage: tout procédé visant intentionnellement à accrocher des

                        poissons par des hameçons ou des grappins autrement que par la bouche)

                ²Except to aid landing of legally caught fish

*  *  *  *  *

DRAFT (INFORMAL) PROPOSAL FOR AMENDMENT OF APPENDIX IV

                                                FOR CRAYFISH (DECAPODA)

Prohibited means and methods of killing, capture and other forms of exploitation

                                                        CRAYFISH (Decapoda)

                        Explosives

                        Poisons

                        Collecting by snorkelling or sub-aqua divers

                                                          A P P E N D I X   1 0

                                    Convention on the Conservation of

                                    European Wildlife and Natural Habitats

                                    Standing Committee

Recommendation No. 41 (1993)

on the conservation of freshwater fish

The Standing Committee of the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats, acting under the terms of Article 14 of the convention;

Having regard to the aims of the convention to conserve wild flora and fauna and their natural habitats;

Considering that the freshwater fish fauna of Europe is a fundamental part of the European natural heritage for its economic, ecological, scientific, educational, cultural, recreational, aesthetic and intrinsic values;

Considering that freshwater fish are substantially threatened by habitat destruction, pollution, over-exploitation and many other human-induced factors;

Considering that, because of these factors, the geographic distribution of many species of freshwater fish has declined, that thousands of populations have disappeared and that some species have become extinct in the territory of several Contracting Parties;

Considering that, to manage their populations, more factual information on the biology and distribution of rare and threatened freshwater fish is required;

Noting that many of the threatened fish species are still, or have been in the past, of considerable economic importance - especially to local communities;

Recalling that Article 1, paragraph 2, of the convention requires that Contracting Parties give particular emphasis to the conservation of endangered and vulnerable species;

Recalling that four species of freshwater fish are listed in Appendix II as strictly protected fauna;

Recalling that 118 species of freshwater fish are listed in Appendix III as protected fauna;

Recalling that Article 2 provides that each Contracting Party shall take requisite measures to maintain the population of wild flora and fauna at, or adapt it to, a level which corresponds in particular to ecological, scientific and cultural requirements, while taking account of economic and recreational requirements and the needs of sub-species, varieties or forms at risk locally;

Recalling that Article 7, paragraph 2, of the convention provides that any exploitation of wild fauna specified in Appendix III shall be regulated in order to keep the populations out of danger, taking into account the requirement of Article 2;

Recalling that Article 7, paragraph 3, of the convention provides that measures to be taken shall include the temporary or local prohibition of exploitation, as appropriate, in order to restore satisfactory population levels, and the regulation, as appropriate, of sale, keeping for sale or offering for sale of live and dead wild animals;

Recalling that Article 11, paragraph 2, of the convention provides that each Contracting Party undertakes to control strictly the introduction of non-native species;

Referring to Recommendation No. R (85) 15 of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe on the reintroduction of wildlife species,

Recommends that Contracting Parties:

1.         promote regional, national and international schemes recording the distribution and status of freshwater fish species, particularly those listed in the Appendices of the convention;

2.         for Appendix III species identified, on the basis of the above schemes, as endangered or vulnerable, consider the need of a temporary or local prohibition of exploitation in order to restore satisfactory population levels;  establish as appropriate national management plans for endangered and vulnerable species, including measures for habitat protection and habitat restoration;

3.         limit the exploitation of Appendix III species of freshwater fish there where they are endangered or vulnerable;

4.         ensure the use of fishing equipment is strictly regulated to avoid causing the local disappearance of populations of freshwater fish species;

5.         ensure that the operation of fisheries does not create barriers which may be seriously detrimental to the survival of populations of migratory freshwater fish species;

6.         consider the establishment of special reserves for freshwater fish species, particularly in areas known to be of special importance for the survival of endangered or vulnerable species;

7.         control the introduction and, as far as possible, the spread of non-native freshwater fish species;

8.         consider the need to establish captive breeding and re-introduction programmes for endangered fish species, using established scientific guidelines;

9.         encourage conservation-oriented research on endangered and vulnerable freshwater fish species;

10.       promote the development and distribution of education materials to enable the public to better appreciate the threats to freshwater fish, their value as a resource, the need for their conservation and the role of fishing in fish conservation and management.

                                                           A P P E N D I X   11

                                    Convention on the Conservation

                                    of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats

                                    Standing Committee

Recommendation No. 42 (1993)

on the conservation of some threatened amphibians

and reptiles in the area of Gulf of Orosei, Sardinia (Italy)

The Standing Committee of the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats, acting under the terms of Article 14 of the convention,

Having regard to the aims of the convention to conserve wild flora and fauna and their natural habitats;

Having regard to Recommendation No 13 (1988) of the Standing Committee concerning measures for the protection of critical biotopes of endangered amphibians and reptiles;

Recalling that Article 3 provides that each Contracting Party shall take the necessary steps to promote national policies for the conservation of wild flora, wild fauna and natural habitats, with particular attention to endangered and vulnerable species, especially endemic ones, and endangered habitats;

Recalling that Article 4, paragraph 1, provides that each Contracting Party shall take appropriate and necessary legislative and administrative measures to ensure the conservation of the habitats of the wild flora and fauna species, especially those specified in Appendices I and II, and the conservation of endangered natural habitats;

Referring to the report of Mr Stumpel on the on-the-spot appraisal to the area of Gulf of Orosei, Sardinia (Italy), conscious of the great biological interest of the area and of the threats of tourism for some species of amphibians and reptiles protected by the Convention;

Recommends that the government of Italy:

1.         Create, in collaboration with the Region of Sardinia, a National Park in the region of Gennargentu;

2.         Include in that National Park the coastal area bordering the Gulf of Orosei;

3.         Ensure that such park is provided, at the shortest delay, with a management plan and appropriate wardens and guards;

4.         Take special care to reduce grazing activities to a level which is compatible with the maintenance of the ecological values of the park;

5.         Ensure that the local population participates in the appropriate manner, in the creation and management of the Park.

A P P E N D I X   12

                GUIDELINES FOR THE CONTENTS OF A GENERAL REPORT

                                BY THE PARTIES OF THE BERN CONVENTION

            To be submitted every fourth year in combination with the National Report as required under Article 9 of the Bern Convention. [Requests placed in brackets can be reported on a voluntary basis].

1.         GENERAL INFORMATION

            -           Name of the Party

            -           Entry into force of the Convention for the Party

            -           Date of the report

            -           Period covered by the report

            -           Designated authority for the Convention

            -           Important institutional changes.

            [-          Other Conventions to which the Party is a party]

            (This is basic information on the Party and gives the possibility to contact the right authorities when further information is required.)

2.         GENERAL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CONVENTION

            -           Legislation through which the Convention is being implemented.

            -           Specific policy plans, national and regional, for the protection of flora, fauna and their habitat.

            -           Follow-up to general recommendations and guidelines of the Standing Committee.

            [-          Agreements, memoranda of understanding, etc. (other than conventions) with other States related to the conservation of flora, fauna and their habitat.]

            (Provide the names of specific legislation and policy plans and their date of entry; the same with agreements etc.  Provide summarised information about their contents as well as name and address of relevant authority.)

3.         HABITAT CONSERVATION

            -           Categories of protected areas, where appropriate, indicate background of changes.

            -           Name and locality of reserves shared with other parties (border areas).

            -           Other measures to protect habitat outside protected areas (regulations, etc.).

                        (Specify, see Recommendation No. 25 (1991) of the Standing Committee on the                  conservation of natural areas outside protected areas proper).

            -           Natural habitats under threat.

            [-          Specific information on habitat protection for migratory species. Not necessary if already reported under the Bonn Convention.]

            [-          Habitat of species that are in danger of extinction. Red list of endangered

                        habitat.]

            (Provide tables with the number of reserves per category, total size, and where possible, with a map indicating the locality of the reserves;) [provide details of specific regulations].

4.         SPECIES CONSERVATION

            -           Wild flora species under App. I

            Provide information on the number of species occurring within a Party's territory. [Measures taken to protect the species; information on population trends and/or distribution.]

            -           Fauna species under App. II

            Provide information on the number of species occurring within a Party's territory. [Measures taken for their conservation, current conservation situation, monitoring, trends and changes in distribution.]

            -           Fauna species under App. III

            Provide information on the number of species occurring within a Party's territory.         [Measures taken for their conservation, current conservation situation, monitoring, trends and changes in distribution.]

5.         RESEARCH

            [5.1.     Important projects/programmes related to habitat conservation on a national scale (e.g. research on specific habitat management; nature development projects).]

            [5.2.     Important projects/programmes in relation to species on App. II and III.]

6.         INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES

            [-          Projects/programmes aiming at the conservation of European flora, fauna and their habitats on a bilateral basis.]

            [-          Projects/programmes aiming at the conservation of European flora, fauna and their habitat on a multilateral basis.]

            (This is to provide technical information on the most important projects/programmes in relation to the Bern Convention.)

7.         PUBLICATIONS

            -           Major publications related to the conservation of flora, fauna and their habitat e.g. on a national or regional level, or concerning specific habitat or species covered by the Convention.

            (Red Data lists, habitat or species action plans etc.  For all publications: indicate whether it is also being published in another language than the national one; provide addresses where publications can be obtained.)

8.         MEETINGS

            [-          Information about the most relevant national symposia and workshops.

            (Indicate general issues discussed; provide information on proceedings/reports and addresses where these can be obtained.)

            -           Information on international meetings organised by the Party concerned.

            (Indicate general issues discussed; provide information on proceedings/reports and addresses where these can be obtained; all in relation to the Bern Convention work.)]

9.         GENERAL IMPLEMENTATION PROBLEMS AS CAUSED BY THE CONVENTION

                                                           A P P E N D I X   13

                          BERN CONVENTION PROGRAMME OF ACTIVITIES

                                                     AND BUDGET FOR 1994

1.         CHAIRMAN'S EXPENSES

                                                                                                                             FF

            Fixed appropriation to cover travel and/or subsistence expenses

            incurred by the Chairman or delegate of T-PVS after consultation

            with the Secretary General ............................................................ 15,000

2.         ON-THE-SPOT VISITS

           

            On-the-spot visits, by independent experts designated by the Secretary

            General to examine threatened habitats and travel and subsistence

            expenses incurred by such experts to inform the Standing Committee

            or its groups of experts .................................................................. 30,000

3.         DELEGATES OF AFRICAN STATES

            Travel and subsistence expenses incurred by the delegates of African states to

            attend T-PVS meeting or other meetings organised under its responsibility............................................................................................... 25,000

4.         TRAVELS OF EXPERTS AND SECRETARIAT

            Travel and subsistence expenses incurred by experts and the

            Secretariat to attend meetings of special relevance under instruction

            from the Committee or the Chairman........................................... 75,000

5.         MEETING OF THE BUREAU

            Travel and subsistence expenses incurred by the three members of

            the Bureau to attend the Bureau meetings ................................... 45,000

6.         CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS THE ORGANISATION OF COLLOQUIA

            Element 6.1

            Seminar on the  conservation of the European otter (Lutra lutra)            

            The Netherlands

            5 days

            The terms of reference of this seminar are to present the conservation problems of the European otter (Lutra lutra) and to suggest guidelines which may improve the status of this threatened mammal, symbol of the convention.

            Travel and subsistence expenses will be covered for 12 rapporteurs from the following states:

 

            Bulgaria, Estonia, France, Germany, Hungary, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Sweden, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom.............. 100,000

            Travel and subsistence expenses of consultant .............................. 6,000

   

            Participants:   all Contracting Parties

            Observers:      all observer states and qualified organisations active in this field

            Element 6.2

            Symposium "UNCED, the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Bern Convention: the Next Steps"

            Monaco

            3 days

            The purpose of this symposium would be to explore the implications of UNCED (especially the new Convention on Biological Diversity) for the Bern Convention.  Discussion would include the following topics:

            - the compatibility of the basic objectives of UNCED and Bern;

            - the scope for co-operation between the Bern Convention and the institutions

              emerging from UNCED (such as the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological       Diversity and the sustainable Development Commission);

            - financial resources (including the GEF);

            - global and regional lists of habitats and species;

            - recommendations for the future programme and priorities of the Bern Convention.  - drafting of an European BIiological Diversity Strategy

            It is envisaged that discussion on each main topic would be introduced by an expert's contribution.

           

            Travel and subsistence expenses will be covered for 12 experts from the following states:

            Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Senegal, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom ........................................................................................ 94,000

            Participants:   all Contracting Parties and appropriate observers, particularly representatives from other conventions.

            Element 6.3

            Anatids 2000, Symposium on the conservation, management and sustained exploitation of Anatids.

            Strasbourg

            5 days

            The terms of reference of this symposium are to present different cases of conservation and management of anatids. The symposium will be co-organised by the government of France, the EEC , IWRB and CIC

   

            Participants:   all Contracting Parties

            Observers:      all observer states and qualified organisations active in this field

            Element 6.4

            Meeting of the Steering Committee of the Project "Action Plans for the Conservation of Globally Threatened Species in Europe" (1st part: birds)

            Strasbourg

            2 days

            The meeting of the steering committee in Strasbourg will permit a better integration of the Bern Convention in the process of elaboration of the action plans. The project, supported financially by the EEC and technically by BirdLife, aims at preparing action plans for globally threatened species. At present the project is focused on globally threatened birds in Europe. The action plans will be presented to the Standing Committee as they are made.

            Participants:   those of the project.

            Element 6.5

            Symposium "Wild fauna and society"

            Strasbourg

            4 days

            This symposium will be organised by the International Council for Game and  Wildlife Conservation (CIC) in collaboration with the Council of Europe. The aim of the symposium is to provide a platform where the different users of wildlife may exchange ideas and make proposals on the present and future role of hunting and angling in our society. This debate will permit to discuss on the biological facts of wildlife, as well as on its economic, sociological and cultural values.

            The experience will be mainly financed by CIC which will also take up the administrative work needed. The Council of Europe will publish the acts of the colloquy and will cover interpreter's expenses.

            All contractant parties and observers will be invited to participate.

7.         CONTRIBUTIONS TOWARDS THE COST OF EXPERT GROUPS

            Element 7.1

            Group of experts on conservation of amphibians and reptiles

            Strasbourg

            3 days

            The terms of reference of this group are to revise current problems on herpetile conservation in europe and to suggest adequate action.  Particular attention will be given to implementation of Recommendations Nos. 14, 15 and 16 and to identification of species requiring special habitat conservation measures.  Priority will be given to the implementation of the Recommendations Nos. 26 (91) and 27 (91) and to the making of action plans for globally threatened species.

            Travel and subsistence expenses will be covered for 1 expert from the following states:

            Austria, Bulgaria, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, The Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom....................................................................................... 110,000

            Participants:  all Contracting Parties

            Observers:     all observer states and qualified organisations active in this field

            Element 7.2

            Group of experts on conservation of invertebrates

            Strasbourg

            3 days

            The terms of reference of this group are to revise current problems on invertebrate conservation in Europe and to suggest adequate action.  The group shall propose measures that are adequate for the protection of invertebrates focusing on habitat types that are specially rich in invertebrates and/or specially important for threatened groups of invertebrates. Particular attention will be given to implementation of Recommendations Nos. 14, 15 and 16, in the identification of species requiring special habitat conservation, and the proposal of action plans for particularly threatened species.

            Travel and subsistence expenses will be covered for 1 expert from the following states:

            Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Luxembourg,        The Netherlands, Norway, Russia, Spain, United Kingdom ........................................................................................ 98.000 

            Participants:  all other Contracting Parties

            Observers:     all observer states and qualified organisations active in this field

           

            Element 7.3

            European Plants specialist group (in collaboration with IUCN)

            Bern

            3 days

            The meeting of the IUCN European Plants specialist group in Bern, in collaboration with the Convention, will permit a better integration of the Bern Convention into the work of that group.  The Secretariat will include in the agenda of the group the revision of the draft recommendation on conservation of plants in Central Europe.

            Travel and subsistence expenses will be covered for 4 rapporteurs from

            Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Romania and the Slovak Republic......................................................................................... 45,000

            Participants :those of IUCN European Plants Specialist group

8.         CONTRIBUTIONS TOWARDS THE COSTS OF CONSULTANTS

            Element 8.1

            Study on the legal aspects of introductions and re-introductions

            Terms of reference for the study:

            .           definitions (introduction/reintroduction/repopulation; native/non-native or exotic; fauna/flora species);

            .           synopsis of international conventions dealing with the question of

                        introduction/reintroduction;

            .           description and table of existing legislation (prevention/restoration);

            .           proposals to take greater account of the question under the Bern Convention.

            (The study will inter alia take into consideration the replies to the questionnaire sent to the states concerned and the IUCN's position adopted on 4 September 1987.  Possible threats caused by the introduction of certain domestic species which have returned to the wild state will be taken into consideration);

            Fixed appropriation for consultant................................................ 40,000

            Element 8.2

            Study on European desmans (Galemys pyrenaicus and Desmana moschata)

            The terms of reference:

            The Pyrenean and the Russian desmans are two very threatened species of insectivores. The study will describe their conservation problems of both desmans (one found in Appendix II and the other included in the red list of Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and Kazakhstan) and propose guidelines for their conservation.

            Fixed appropriation for consultant ............................................... 50,000

            Element 8.3 

            Study on threatened plants of Eastern Europe (part II)

            The terms of reference:

            To compile data sheets on the threatened flora of Eastern Europe

            with a view of amending Appendix I of the Convention.

            Fixed appropriation for consultant ............................................... 80,000

            Element 8.4 to be provided by Sweden

            Report on the wolverine (Gulo gulo)

            Terms of reference:

            This report will deal with the conservation problems of the wolverine (Gulo gulo).  It will include data on its geographical distribution, the status of its population, the threats this species faces and the ways to improve its conservation.

            Fixed appropriation for consultant.................................................... p.m  

            [Element 8.5 to be engaged with approval of Bureau]

            Report on compensation for damage caused by wild fauna to farming,        

            forestry, fish farms and livestock raising

            Terms of reference:

            To analyse the compensation systems which the Contracting Parties to the Convention use for damage caused by wild fauna to crops, farm animals, forestry and livestock raising. The author should also make proposals to improve their effectiveness.

            Fixed appropriation for consultant ............................................... 40,000

            [Element 8.6 to be engaged with approval of Bureau]

           

            Report on marine invertebrates in the Mediterranean

           

            Terms of reference:

            This report will deal with the conservation problems of threatened coastal marine invertebrates. It will include data sheets of endangered and vulnerable species and will propose adequate action within the framework of the Convention.                                                                 

            Fixed appropriation for consultant ............................................... 40,000

            [Element 8.7 to be engaged with approval of Bureau]

           

            Report on marine plants in the Mediterranean

           

            Terms of reference:

            This report will deal with the conservation problems of threatened coastal marine plants and ecosystems. It will include data sheets of endangered and vulnerable species and basic information on the conservation problems of most important plant communities. It will propose adequate action within the framework of the Convention.     

            Fixed appropriation for consultant ............................................... 40,000

            [Element 8.8 to be engaged with approval of Bureau]

            Study on threatened Rhopalocera (butterflies) in Europe

            The terms of reference:

            To update the 1980 report produced for the Council of Europe, with a view to include more information from Eastern Europe that would permit the amendment, if required, of Appendix II to the Convention.

            Fixed appropriation for consultant................................................ 40,000

            [Element 8.9 to be engaged with approval of Bureau]

            Updating and extension to Eastern Europe of report on dragonflies

           

            The terms of reference:

            To update the 1987 study on dragonflies to include the European Republics in the territory of the former Soviet Union. The study will contain a proposal to amend Appendix II of the Convention.

            Fixed appropriation for consultant................................................ 25,000

            [Element 8.10 to be engaged with approval of Bureau]

            Updating and extension to Eastern Europe of report in saproxylic invertebrates

           

            Terms of reference:

            To make a study of threatened saproxylic invertebrates in Eastern Europe, including a proposal for amendment of Appendix II of the Convention.

            Fixed appropriation for consultant................................................ 25,000

            [Element 8.11 to be engaged with approval of Bureau]

            Study on Trichoptera (or Neuroptera or Carabidae)

            Terms of reference:

            To compile a study on these invertebrates in order to suggest conservation measures

            Fixed appropriation for consultant................................................ 40,000

            [Element 8.12 to be engaged with the approval of the Bureau]

            Study of habitats losing wildlife interest as a result of ecological succession

            Terms of reference:

            The study should refer in particular to the measures needed to maintain the wildlife interest of important habitats when they are subject to ecological succession processes. It should include examples of the legal and administrative options that are used by different governments to promote sound conservation of important habitats.

9.         PUBLICATIONS

            Element 9.1

            Funds for the conception, the photo composition and publication of poster, brochures, stickers, postcards, making of buttons, other documents....................................................................................... 50,000

10.       HABITAT CONSERVATION

            This budget line will gather funds sent voluntarily by Contracting Parties to help conservation of habitats in other states.  Decision on its expenditure will be agreed by the Bureau with approval of the Parties which have sent contributions and only on presentation of precise projects............................................................................................ 35,000

11.       CONTRIBUTION TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CONVENTION IN BURKINA FASO AND SENEGAL

            [Element 11.1 to be engaged with approval of Bureau]

            Funds for the conception and the implementation of a training programme for representatives of Burkina Faso and Senegal on implementation of the Convention in these countries................ 100,000

12.       PART-TIME SECRETARY

            Element 12

            Part-time secretary........................................................................ 112.000

     Bern Convention Programme of Activities and Budget for 1994 (summary)

                                                                                                                             FF 

1.         Chairman's expenses...................................................................... 15,000

2.         On-the-spot visits............................................................................ 30,000

3.         Delegates of African states............................................................. 25,000

4.         Travels of experts and Secretariat................................................. 75,000

5.         Meetings of the Bureau................................................................... 45,000

6.         Colloquia

6.1       Seminar on the conservation of the European otter................... 106,000

6.2       Symposium UNCED - Biological diversity and Bern Convention..................................................................................... 94,000

6.3       Anatids 2000........................................................................................ - - -

6.4       Globally threatened species................................................................. - - -

6.5       Symposium "Wild fauna and society"............................................... - - -

7.         Expert groups

7.1       Group of experts on conservation of amphibians and reptiles.. 110,000

7.2       Group of experts on conservation of invertebrates...................... 98,000

7.3       European Plants Specialist group (with IUCN)............................ 45,000

8.         Consultants

8.1       Legal aspects on introductions and re-introductions................... 40,000

8.2       Conservation of desmans............................................................... 50,000

8.3       Threatened plants of Central and Eastern Europe....................... 80,000

8.4       Report on the wolverine (Gulo gulo)................................................. p.m. 

8.5*      Compensation for damage caused by wild fauna....................... *40,000

8.6*      Threatened marine invertebrates of the Mediterranean............. *40,000

8.7*      Threatened marine plants in the Mediterranean........................ *40,000

8.8*      Threatened butterflies (update for Central and Eastern Europe).......................................................................................... *40,000

8.9*      Threatened dragonflies (update for Central and Eastern Europe).......................................................................................... *25,000

8.10*    Saproxylic invertebrates (update for Central and Eastern Europe).......................................................................................... *25,000

8.11*    Trichoptera/Neuroptera/Carabidae........................................... *40,000

8.12*    Study on habitats losing wildlife interest as a cause of ecological succession...................................................................................... *40,000

9.         Publicity........................................................................................... 50,000

10.       Habitat conservation projects...................................................... *35,000

11.*      Training of experts in Burkina Faso and Senegal...................... *100,000

12.       Part-time secretary........................................................................ 112,000

                                                                                                                 ________

                                                                                                                 1,400.000

                                                                                                                (*505,000)

            The Bern Convention Special Account will be used to cover expenses that cannot be covered by the ordinary budget (Note II, Article 2731) of the Council of Europe.

*The activities marked with an asterisk(*) will only be engaged with the approval of the  Bureau.

                          BERN CONVENTION PROGRAMME OF ACTIVITIES

                                                     AND BUDGET FOR 1995

1.         CHAIRMAN'S EXPENSES

                                                                                                                             FF

            Fixed appropriation to cover travel and/or subsistence expenses

            incurred by the Chairman or delegate of T-PVS after consultation

            with the Secretary General ............................................................ 15,000

2.         ON-THE-SPOT VISITS

           

            On-the-spot visits, by independent experts designated by the Secretary

            General to examine threatened habitats and travel and subsistence

            expenses incurred by such experts to inform the Standing Committee

            or its groups of experts .................................................................. 30,000

3.         DELEGATES OF AFRICAN STATES

            Travel and subsistence expenses incurred by the delegates of African

            states to attend T-PVS meeting or other meetings organised under

            its responsibility.............................................................................. 35,000

4.         TRAVELS OF EXPERTS AND SECRETARIAT

            Travel and subsistence expenses incurred by experts and the

            Secretariat to attend meetings of special relevance under instruction

            from the Committee or the Chairman........................................... 85,000

5.         MEETING OF THE BUREAU

            Travel and subsistence expenses incurred by the three members of

            the Bureau to attend the Bureau meetings ................................... 50,000

6.         CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS THE ORGANISATION OF COLLOQUIA

            Element 6.1

            Seminar on the conservation of European desmans        

            Portugal/France

            4 days

            The terms of reference of this seminar are to present the conservation problems of European desmans (Galemys pyrenaicus and Desmana moschata) and to suggest guidelines which may improve the status of these threatened species.

            Travel and subsistence expenses will be covered for 7 rapporteurs from the following states:

 

            Belarus, France, Germany, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Ukraine.. 60,000

            Travel and subsistence expenses of consultant .............................. 6,000

            Participants:   all Contracting Parties

            Observers:      all observer states and qualified organisations active in this field

            Element 6.2

            Seminar on Hunting Law and management of Europe's Hunting Resources

            Strasbourg

            4 days

            The purpose of this seminar, co-organised with French Society on Environmental Law (SFDE), in association with FACE, CIC, IWRB, and the French Hunting Authorities (ONC) is to analyse different hunting legislations and strategies for the preservation of the hunting resources of Europe.

            Participants:   all Contracting Parties

            Observers:      all observer states and qualified organisations active in this field

            Element 6.3

            Seminar on conservation of underground habitats and their faunas

            Strasbourg ?

            4 days

            The terms of reference of this seminar are to present the conservation problems of cave and underground ecosystems, making proposals for their protection and management. Conservation experiences from different European states will be presented. One of the outputs of the seminar will be the elaboration of a list of caves requiring urgent protection and management.

            Travel and subsistence expenses will be covered for 10 rapporteurs ......................................................................................................... 70,000

            Travel and subsistence expenses of consultant .............................. 6,000

            Participants:   all Contracting Parties

            Observers:      all observer states and qualified organisations active in this field

            Element 6.4

            Seminar on plant conservation in Europe

            Port Cros, France

            4 days

            This meeting will be held in coordination with the group of experts on plant conservation. It will be co-organised with PLANTLIFE and the French government.

            Participants:   all Contracting Parties

            Observers:      all observer states and qualified organisations active in this field

7.         CONTRIBUTIONS TOWARD THE COST OF EXPERT GROUPS

            Element 7.1

            Group of experts on Conservation of Plants in Appendix I

            Port Cros, France

            4 days

            The terms of reference of this group are the following:

            - to revise current issues on plant conservation in Europe,

            - to suggest adequate action to the Contracting Parties to the

              Bern Convention on plant conservation matters,

            - to present to the Standing Committee any proposal for improving the effectiveness    of the Convention in plant conservation, including the presentation of                    recommendations and suggestions for inclusion of species in Appendix I to the       Convention;

            - examine proposals for reports on fungi and bryophytes.

            The Council of Europe will finance travel and subsistence expenses of

            one expert from each of the following 14 states:

            Austria, Bulgaria, Estonia, Germany, Hungary, Iceland,Ireland, Italy, Norway,       Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey.

            and also the travel and subsistence expenses of the Chairman of the

            group of experts (from France)...................................................... 98,000

            Participants:   all Contracting Parties

            Observers:      all observer states and qualified organisations

                                    active in this field

            Element 7.2

            Group of experts on legal aspects of introduction and reintroduction of         wildlife species.

            Strasbourg

            3 days

            The terms of reference for this group are the following:

            - to review and evaluate, in the light of Article 11 paragraph 2 of the Convention, the            legislation of Contracting Parties to the Convention concerning introduction and                reintroduction of species, making any proposals that may be useful to the Committee.

           

            The following expenses will be covered:

            * travel and subsistence expenses for one expert from each of the following 8 states:

            Belgium, France, Germany, Hungary, The Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, United Kingdom ........................................................... 57,000 

            Participants:   all Contracting Parties

            Observers:      all observer states and qualified organisations

           

8.         CONTRIBUTIONS TOWARDS THE COSTS OF CONSULTANTS

            This chapter will be decide upon by the bureau depending on the reports and studies made in 1994 and the new proposals that may be presented by the groups of experts.

            Total budget for consultants........................................................ 480.000

9.         PUBLICATIONS

            Element 9.1

            Funds for the conception, the photo composition and publication of poster, brochures, stickers, postcards, making of buttons, other documents....................................................................................... 90,000

10.       HABITAT CONSERVATION

            This budget line will gather funds sent voluntarily by Contracting Parties to help conservation of habitats in other states.  Decision on its expenditure will be agreed by the Bureau with approval of the Parties which have sent contributions and only on presentation of precise projects............................................................................................ 20,000

11.       CONTRIBUTION TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CONVENTION IN BURKINA FASO AND SENEGAL

            [Element 11.1 to be engaged with approval of Bureau]

            Funds for the conception and the implementation of a training programme for representatives of Burkina Faso and Senegal on implementation of the Convention in these countries................ 100,000

12.       PART-TIME SECRETARY

            Element 12

            Part-time secretary........................................................................ 120.000

     Bern Convention Programme of Activities and Budget for 1995 (summary)

                                                                                                                             FF 

1.         Chairman's expenses...................................................................... 15,000

2.         On-the-spot visits............................................................................ 30,000

3.         Delegates of African states............................................................. 35,000

4.         Travels of experts and Secretariat................................................. 85,000

5.         Meetings of the Bureau................................................................... 50,000

6.         Colloquia

6.1       Seminar on the conservation of European desmans.................... 66,000

6.2       Seminar on hunting law...................................................................... - - -

6.3       Seminar on the conservation of underground habitats and their faunas            76,000

6.1       Seminar on the plant conservation in Europe.................................... - - -

7.         Expert groups

7.1       Group of experts on conservation of plants in Appendix I.......... 98,000

7.2       Group of experts on legal aspects of introductions and re-introductions......................................................................................................... 57,000

8.         Consultants

            To be decided by the Bureau...................................................... *480,000

9.         Publicity........................................................................................... 90,000

10.       Habitat conservation projects...................................................... *20,000

11.*      Training of experts in Burkina Faso and Senegal...................... *100,000

12.*      Part-time secretary........................................................................ 120,000

                                                                                                                 ________

                                                                                                                 1,322,000

                                                                                                                (*600,000)

                        The Bern Convention Special Account will be used to cover expenses that cannot be covered by the ordinary budget (Note II, Article 2731) of the Council of Europe.

            * The activities marked with an asterisk (*) will only be engaged with the

            approval of the Bureau.