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3.2. EU Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Policies

Since the 1970’s environmental concerns were addressed in the EC (equivalent organization to the
EU at the time). Currently there are 3 main policy instruments:

1. Biodiversity Strategy for 2030

The strategy aims to build our societies’ resilience to future threats such as:
• the impacts of climate change
• forest fires
• food insecurity
• disease outbreaks - including by protecting wildlife and fighting illegal wildlife trade

It includes concrete actions:
• Establishing a larger EU-wide network of protected areas on land and at sea
• Launching an EU nature restoration plan
• Introducing measures to enable the necessary transformative change
• Introducing measures to tackle the global biodiversity challenge

Strategy Website
(Available in EU languages)

Strategy Factsheets
(Available in English or EU languages)

Biodiversity Strategy for 2030
(Video only available in English)

2. Nature and Biodiversity law

Currently there are 7 EU nature regulations and directives:
• Birds Directive: Directive on the conservation of wild birds.
• Habitats Directive: on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora.
• Regulation on Invasive Alien Species: Regulation on the prevention and management of
the introduction and spread of invasive alien species.
• Zoos Directive: Council on the keeping of wild animals in zoos.
• Leghold Traps Regulation: prohibiting the use of leghold traps in the Community and the
introduction into the Community of pelts and manufactured goods of certain wild animal
species originating in countries which catch them by means of leghold traps or trapping
methods which do not meet international humane trapping standards.
• Trade in Seal Products: on trade in seal products.
• Seal Pups Directive concerning the importation into Member States of skins of certain seal
pups and products derived therefrom.

This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This communication reflects the
views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the

information contained therein.