Press Release: Habitats Directive: Commission moves against the Netherlands, Portugal, Italy, United Kingdom, Germany and Sweden

The European Commission has decided to refer Portugal to the European Court of Justice and to send Reasoned Opinions (second warning letters) to the Netherlands, Italy, United Kingdom and Germany for inadequate national legislation used to give effect to the EU's Habitats Directive. The Commission has also decided to send a Reasoned Opinion to Sweden with regard to excessive hunting of lynx, 6 August 2001.