Malta is the most advanced of the EU member states that joined the EU in 2004 in its progress to designate sites under the Habitats Directive. Its preparations, carried out by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority, have reached a sufficiency of 92.6 per cent, Mepa said yesterday.

The European Union Habitats Directive includes provisions for the protection of natural habitats and species of importance to the European Community. Each member state contributes to the protection of specific natural habitat types and habitats of species through the selection of sites which will form a network across Europe – the Natura 2000 Network. Other sites to form part of this network are designated under the Birds Directive.

Malta proposed sites in 2004 and 2006 for inclusion in the Natura 2000 Network. In view of the Habitats Directive, discussions were held during bilateral meetings between DG Environment and Malta. A biogeographical seminar was also held late last year, for the new Mediterranean member states, Malta and Cyprus. These seminars are organised by the European Commission (EC) and the European Topic Centre on Biological Diversity (ETC/BD).

Such discussions lead to an assessment of each habitat and species listed in the Annexes of the Habitats Directive and present in the particular member state. Subsequently, an indication is obtained as to whether such habitats and species are sufficiently represented through the proposals forwarded to the Commission, Mepa said.

The ETC/BD published its results in terms of member states’ state of progress up to last June.

One can note the state of progress of Malta, with a sufficiency of over 90 per cent, the highest among the states that joined the EU in 2004.

This is pending some further details to be submitted to the Commission of the exact distribution of a few habitats and species, for which data are being collated.

The Nature Protection Unit of the Malta Environment and Planning Authority is currently collecting more data so as to refine data already available and to propose further sites subject to the provisions of the Habitats Directive, particularly when considering the marine environment, with one proposed marine site to date.

For further information on Natura 2000, one can refer to MEPA’s website: www.mepa.org.mt, or send an email to: nature.

[email protected].