Press Release: Environment: EU celebrates 30 years of the Birds Directive

The EU’s first nature law, the Birds Directive, celebrates its 30th anniversary on 2 April. The legislation is one of the greatest achievements of European environmental policy and is central to the EU's strategy for halting biodiversity loss. The Birds Directive has played a key role in reversing the decline of some of Europe’s most threatened birds, particularly through its network of Special Protection Areas (SPAs). Thanks to targeted action by the European Union, national governments, conservationists and volunteers to implement it on the ground, many birds now face a much brighter future. These include the Eurasian Spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia), White-tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) and Spanish Imperial Eagle (Aquila adalberti). Today there are nearly 5,000 SPAs, covering more than 10% of the EU’s land mass. They form an integral part of the Natura 2000 ecological network. The Birds Directive is an excellent example of shared responsibility and cooperation among the 27 EU Member States.