Press Release: Wild Birds and Habitats: the Commission challenges defects in Belgian, Swedish, Portuguese and Luxembourg legislation

The European Commission has decided further steps in legal actions against Belgium, Sweden, Portugal and Luxembourg for defects in the national legislation to give effect to the European Union's Wild Birds Directive and Habitats Directive. Under the Wild Birds Directive, the Commission has decided to refer Sweden to the European Court of Justice and to send two Reasoned Opinions (second warning letters) to Belgium. In the case of the Habitats Directive, the Commission has decided to refer Belgium and Luxembourg to the Court of Justice and to send a Reasoned Opinion to Sweden. The Commission has also decided to send a Reasoned Opinion to Portugal addressing defects in the Portuguese legislation dealing with both Directives.