NATURA 2000 and People – A Partnership. Conclusions of the Bath Conference – June 1998

Summary:

The establishment of the Natura 2000 network of protected sites is an important element of the Communities' nature conservation policy. In order to give new impetus to the implementation of Natura 2000, the European Commission and the UK Presidency organised a Conference on 28-30 June 1998 in Bath, in the south west of the United Kingdom.

The creation of the Natura 2000 network has been delayed for several reasons. One of these has been the resistance of some local people who are concerned that their social and economic interests might be threatened by the designation of a site. The objective of the Conference was to encourage co-operation and understanding by bringing together Member States, European and national opinion leaders and representatives of local actors concerned with Natura 2000, providing a forum for the exchange of knowledge and experience, and an opportunity to discuss problems and issues encountered.

The Conference was opened by Mrs Bjerregaard, Member of the European Commission with responsibility for the Environment and Mr Meacher, Minister for the Environment in the UK. Mr Fischler, Member of the European Commission with responsibility for Agriculture, introduced the Commission's proposals for reform of the Common Agricultural Policy. There were also interventions from Prof. Dr Jose Guerreiro, Secretary of State for the Environment, Portugal, and Mrs Caroline Jackson, MEP for Wiltshire North and Bath. This was followed by workshop sessions covering the problems of managing certain socio-economic sectors and looking at the mechanisms for delivering solutions.

This special edition of the Natura 2000 newsletter summarises and illustrates the conclusions of this Conference.