Press Release: Environment: Commission closes cases against Portugal and United Kingdom

The European Commission decided to close two cases of nature protection infringements in Portugal and the UK. Both countries were being challenged by the Commission over their national designations of protected areas, which are a requirement under the Habitats and Birds Directives. Portugal has now brought in sufficient protection for Steppic birds and for the Bonelli's eagle, while the UK has upgraded its protection of bog habitats in Cumbria, and for Atlantic salmon spawning sites on the river Faughan in Northern Ireland. The Commission is therefore able to close both cases. The protected areas are part of Natura 2000, a Europe-wide network of protected areas set up to protect biodiversity and halt species loss.