fuglebeskyttelsesdirektiverne

Fuglebeskyttelsesdirektiverne, or Bird Protection Directives, refer to a series of European Union legal acts aimed at protecting wild bird populations and their habitats across member states. The primary directive, often simply referred to as the Birds Directive, was adopted in 1979. Its fundamental purpose is to ensure the survival of all wild bird species naturally occurring in the European territory of the EU.

The directives establish a comprehensive framework for bird protection. This includes designating Special Protection Areas (SPAs) for species listed in Annex I of the directive, as well as for regularly occurring migratory species. These SPAs are crucial for safeguarding the breeding, moulting, and wintering grounds, as well as staging sites, of these birds. Member states are obligated to take appropriate conservation measures within these protected areas to maintain and restore habitats.

Furthermore, the directives prohibit the hunting, capture, and killing of birds, as well as the destruction of their nests and eggs, with certain exceptions for sustainable hunting of specific species listed in Annex III. The overarching goal is to halt the decline of bird populations and to conserve biodiversity across the EU, contributing to the broader aims of the Natura 2000 network of protected areas. These directives have been instrumental in improving the conservation status of many bird species within the Union.