Did you know that between a third and a half of all European fish, reptiles, mammals and amphibians are under threat? TVE's first Earth Report European Special, looks at the European Habitats Directive and its network of Natura 2000 sites, designed to protect the rich and varied habitats and species of Europe.

In 1992 the countries of the European Union signed up to a plan to create a transfrontier network of protected areas aiming to save Europe's most threatened habitats - the Natura 2000 Network. Natura 2000 was envisaged as an integrated network to preserve Europe's diverse biological riches - more effective than a disparate collection of national parks designated for different reasons. More importantly, economic activities are not ruled out in Natura 2000 areas, the aim is to promote sustainable activity rather than create exclusion zones.

But that vision was conceived eight years ago. Earth Report discovers that as governments drag their feet, the plan has still not been implemented. Where progress has been made it is often because of the dedication of organisations and individuals. The European Commission in Brussels has lost patience with member governments. It's now going to the courts and applying economic sanctions.
Safe Havens features the dedicated work of the Black Vulture Conservation Foundation in Mallorca, the success story of the Abruzzo national park in Italy and shows how a dispute between hunters and environmentalists in France is causing delays to a designated Natura 2000 site being protected.

Q & A session with Marta Ballesteros WWF Euro-policy specialist:

TVE: What is the Habitats Directive and Natura 2000 and why are they important?

Marta Ballesteros: The 1992 Habitats Directive, and its network of Natura 2000 sites, aim to save Europe's most threatened habitats and species - from Lapland's boreal forests to the Iberian lynx. It's a scientifically sound effort to preserve Europe's diverse biological riches - of far greater value than a collection of national parks designated for different reasons. More importantly, the Directive does not seek to rule out economic activities in Natura 2000 areas, but to promote sustainable activity.

TVE: What problems are happening with implementation?

MB: "Many people feared that the Directive would stop economic activity in the designated areas, which has caused protests from farmers, hunters and forest owners. The lack of understanding of the protection offered has also provoked opposition from developers of projects such as roads and harbours. There's also uncertainty about who will cover the costs of Natura 2000. The result is a delay of more than four years in the Directive's timetable to propose and select sites. All this has undermined the will of decision-makers to implement the Directive.

TVE: How does WWF think that these problems can be solved?

MB: There's a need for a better understanding of the Habitats Directive. Unwarranted fears could be calmed by targeted information to landowners and users. The conservation management plans required by the Directive for each site are an opportunity for people to participate in planning the future of their countryside, not a threat to their livelihood. Regarding costs, WWF believes that nature conservation deserves national investment like any other sector. EU budgets such as Regional Aid and the Common Agricultural Policy can be used within Natura 2000 sites. WWF is working to raise awareness of the Directive and assessing whether the Member States lists cover the most important habitats and species.

TVE: How can individuals help to alleviate the problem and participate in the solution?

MB: Citizens can help to put pressure on decision-makers to implement nature conservation legislation as a matter of urgency - directly by asking their local or national authorities what is being done, or indirectly by supporting conservation NGOs.