Press Release: Nature protection: Commission establishes largest ever list of protected areas in the EU

The European Commission took another major step forward in establishing NATURA 2000, the network of protected nature sites in the EU. It decided to include more than 7,000 nature sites in the Atlantic and Continental regions of the EU in the network. The 197 animal species, 89 plant species and 205 habitats covered are scientifically considered of European importance. This means that their protection must be enhanced to preserve valuable bio-diversity in Europe. Species such as the Wolf, the Otter, the Salmon as well as certain coastal lagoons and river systems are part of the lists, which cover most of the EU's territory (France, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy, UK, Sweden, Austria and Denmark).

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