The RSPB have praised Yorkshire & Humber's Labour MEP, Richard Corbett, for his work in the campaign to protect birds across Europe, after the European Commission agreed to begin legal proceedings against Bulgaria for failing to implement rules agreed by EU countries on the conservation of birds.
Richard had previously called on the Commission to take strong action against Bulgaria's infringement of EU environmental law in an important coast steppe habitat which is home to migratory birds from Northern, Central and Eastern Europe - including Yorkshire.
Sacha Cleminson, EU advocacy manager at RSPB said: "We have been delighted to see people from Yorkshire and Humber getting involved to help save wildlife across Europe. It is thanks to the efforts of MEPs like Richard that there is a voice for nature in Brussels."
Richard said: "I was shocked to hear that in an area of such importance to birdlife in Europe that so many developments projects were being allowed by the Bulgarian authorities.
"Having brought the issue to the attention of the European Parliament I am delighted to hear the Commission announce that they are taking legal proceedings against Bulgaria."
Richard concluded: "This move will send a clear message to the Bulgarian government that EU environmental laws must be respected. We must hope that Bulgaria will now take the necessary action to halt the processing of any current development projects and move to protect the other Important Bird Areas"
- Richard Corbett's Parliamentary Question to the European Commission:
Is the Commission aware that in Bulgaria sites which were initially designated Natura 2000 sites are now earmarked for development?
In particular is the Commission aware that the area of Kaliakra, which was initially included in Natura 2000 as a designated Special Protection Area, was then shrunk to a third of the original proposed site to make space for a large wind farm?
Is the Commission aware of the report by the BSPB that states that the placement of a wind farm in this location is 'among the least appropriate sites for wind farm development in Europe' due to the fact that this is one of the main routes of migration for birds crossing from Europe to Africa?
Is the Commission also aware that there are reports from the BSPB that at some Natura 2000 sites, in particular the Yatata Reserve, the Government is failing to properly enforce the Birds Directive (79/409/EEC) to protect the site?
In 2007 the Commission sent a written warning to Bulgaria regarding the failure of the implementation of the Birds Directive. What action does the Commission envisage taking now to put increased pressure on Bulgaria to fully implement Natura 2000 and to ensure that these sites, which are important for the migration of birdlife across Europe, are properly protected?
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- phone 0113 245 8987
- e-mail luke@richardcorbett.org.uk
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