1. Update on Bird issues: Management Plans (1)
15 October 2009
Update on Bird issues: Management Plans (1)
European Management Plans for Annex II species (“huntable species”) considered to be in unfavourable conservation status (22 species in 1996)
Non-binding documents. Tools to fulfil MS’s obligations under the Birds Directive
7 existing MPs: Pintail (Anas acuta), Red-Crested pochard (Netta rufina), Skylark (Alauda arvensis), Velvet Scoter (Melanitta fusca), Tutle Dove (Streptopelia turtur), Curlew (Numenius arquata), Black-Tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa)
After extensive consultations, 6 new MPs finalised in 2009: Common Quail (Coturnix coturnix), Common Gull (Larus canus), Scaup (Aythia marila), Golden Plover (Pluvialis apricaria), Redshank (Tringa totanus), Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus)

2. Update on Bird issues: Management Plans (2)
MPs identify objectives to improve the conservation status and address the most urgent issues:
Reduction of the causes of mortality (by-catch, pollution…)
Improvement of the productivity
Protection of the habitats
Measures regarding hunting
Need to assess the sustainability of hunting, especially for the Lapwing (bag statistics)
Need to take measures at national level to implement MPs
Need to communicate at national/local level to the concerned actors (farmers, hunters…)

3. Update on Bird issues: Species Action Plans (1)
Species Action Plans for globally threatened species that regularly occur in the EU (Annex I)
Agreed list of 51 species by the ORNIS Committee. Priority birds for LIFE Nature funding
Non-binding documents. Tools to fulfil MS’s obligations under the Birds Directive
49 SAPs on the website Europa (DG ENV)
3 new MPs and 3 revised MPs finalised in 2008: European Roller (Corracias garrulus), Dupont’s Lark (Chersophilus duponti), Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus) - Marbled teal (Marmaronetta angustirostris), Aquatic Warbler (Acrocephalus paludicola), Spanish Imperial Eagle (Aquila adalberti)
3 new MPs and 3 revised MPs under preparation in 2009: Red-Footed Falcon (Falco vespertinus), Red Kite (Milvus milvus) - Semi-collared Flycatcher (Ficedula semitorquata), Azores Bullfinch (Pyrrhula murina), Red-Breasted Goose (Branta ruficollis), Great Bustard (Otis tarda)
New consultation of Member States on 6 draft MPs soon

4. Update on Bird issues: Key Concepts document (1)
Need for a clear interpretation of key concepts of Art. 7(4) of the Birds Directive (no hunting during the rearing season nor during the various stages of reproduction nor during the return to the rearing grounds)
Key Concepts Document under Art. 7(4): prenuptial migration periods and reproduction periods of each Annex II species for each MS (version September 2001)
Science-based approach: scientific references, regular updating necessary
Need to complete the document for “new MSs” (EU12)
Document completed/updated (version October 2008) and sent to MSs for consultation in 2008 (BirdLife and FACE in copy)
Data completed/updated with data supported by reliable references
Document soon uploaded on our website

5. Update on Bird issues: New contract (1)
Ad-hoc meeting in September 2008 with MSs and stakeholders: need to improve the process regarding MPs, SAPs and update of the Key Concepts Document
Aspects to be improved (especially for “huntable” species): priority setting, peer review, approval process, updating, monitoring, ownership/implementation, co-ordination with other institutions
Need to set up a new process (methodology) involving MSs, experts and stakeholders (BirdLife and Face)
Call for tender. Contract of 20 months. Evaluation of the offers.
Enhance confidence and involvement of all parties

6. Update on Bird issues: Content of the contract (2)
Propose a methodology to:
Draw up a list of birds for which Plans should be prepared (conservation priorities)
Collect data for some birds to assess their population status
Produce, approve, monitor and update Plans
Regularly update the Key concepts document
Draw up a first list of species
Collect data for 4 species with identified gaps in their knowledge
Organise a conference with MSs, stakeholders, experts to launch the new process