Press Release: Habitats Directive: Commission moves against Portugal and Spain

On 14.7.00 the European Commission decided to send a Reasoned Opinion (second warning letter) to Portugal for failure to propose sufficient sites for protection in the Community-wide network of nature sites known as Natura 2000. The network should have been in place by June 1998. The Commission also decided to send a Reasoned Opinion to Spain for failing to respect other provisions of the Habitats Directive, in particular in relation to habitats of an endangered fish species, Valencia hispanica, Spanish toothcarp, threatened by coastal development near Peñíscola (Castellón).