Cyprus doesn’t have enough bird sanctuaries, could face court, EU says

"(ANSAmed) — BRUSSELS, FEBRUARY 21 — The European Commission is asking Cyprus to extend its sites for Natura 2000, Europe’s network of protected natural areas. Under the Birds Directive, Member States need to designate the most suitable sites as special protection areas (SPAs) for the conservation of bird species. Cyprus originally designated only 7 SPAs, significantly below the 16 required under the Important Bird Areas (IBA) inventory used by the Commission to assess whether Member States are complying with their obligation to classify SPAs. The Commission opened infringement proceedings in 2007, and although more SPAs are now in place, the Commission is not convinced that the coverage of the areas protected is sufficient to provide adequate protection for a number of important species. The Commission is therefore sending a complementary reasoned opinion (the second stage of the infringement procedure), giving Cyprus two months to reply. In the absence of a satisfactory response, the Commission may refer the Member State to the EU Court of Justice."

http://ansamed.ansa.it/ansamed/en/news/sections/environment/2013/02/21/EU-Commission-asks-Cyprus-boost-protection-birds_8285900.html

Gates of Vienna.