European Commission decides not to reopen EU nature legislation following ‘fitness check’

The European Commission announced on 7 December 2016 that the European Union's main nature directives had been ruled fit for purpose and were not going to be rewritten or weakened, following a 'fitness check' in the framework of the Regulatory Fitness and Performance Programme (REFIT).

The Commission indicated it was going to focus on better implementing the existing legislation and identified a number of areas in which improvements could be made. As a result, an Action Plan was set to be drawn up, suggesting regular meetings with local stakeholders, so that implementation challenges can be better understood at both a local and EU level.

The decision to undertake the 'fitness check' caused considerable public outcry, with more than half a million citizens responding to the consultation on the review.

ESO: Background information: State of Nature: Largest ever assessment draws a mixed picture for Europe's habitats and species http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-state-of-nature-largest-ever-assessment-draws-a-mixed-picture-for-europes-habitats-and-species/

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