The Ruling of the Court of Justice in Sweetman: How to avoid a death by a thousand cuts?

elni Review ◽  
2014 ◽  
pp. 2-12
Author(s):  
Hendrik Schoukens
Keyword(s):  
Natura 2000 ◽  
Future Application ◽  
Habitats Directive ◽  
Advocate General ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
New Developments ◽  
Court Of Justice ◽  
The Future ◽  
Vulnerable Habitats

This paper analyses the ECJ Sweetman-Case and new developments in the judicial fixation of the scope of Art. 6(3) Habitats Directive about the permissibility of industrial or infrastructural interventions in Natura 2000 areas. It examines the exact content of the decision, along with the highly readable opinion of Advocate General Sharpston. After briefly having addressed the relevant factual background to the case, the wider implications of this ruling on the future application of the substantive protection rules laid down in the Habitats Directive are discussed. Throughout the analysis, this contribution argues that the Court’s ruling should be welcomed since it provides an additional safeguard for the EU’s most vulnerable habitats since, if applied on a broader scale, it might help to reduce the slow incremental decline of Europe’s most valuable natural habitats and species.

scholarly journals IMPLEMENTATION OF THE “NATURA 2000” EUROPEAN ECOLOGICAL NETWORK IN THE 6th NORTH-WESTERN REGION

1970 ◽  
Vol 63 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Proorocu ◽  
P. V. Beldean
Keyword(s):  
Natura 2000 ◽  
Habitats Directive ◽  
Western Region ◽  
Ecological Network ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Community Interest ◽  
Special Protection Areas ◽  
Two Stages ◽  
North Western ◽  
Special Protection

According to the Habitats Directive at European level there was constituted an ecological network entitled “Natura 2000” consisting of Special Areas of Conservation and Special Protection Areas. The “Natura 2000” is composed of sites which include natural habitats of community interest and community interest species habitats. The Special Areas of Conservation has been declared during two stages. During the first stage these were nominated as Sites of Community Importance. In the 6th North – Western Region there were identified 57 Sites of Community Importance (SCI) and 8 Special Protection Areas (SPA). Among the 6 counties of the 6th North – Western Region, the SCI are best represented in Maramureş county, and the SPA in Cluj county.

Obligaciones de los Estados miembros en materia de gestión de los Espacios Natura 2000 derivadas de los apartados 1 y 2 del artículo 6 de la Directiva Hábitats

2014 ◽  
pp. 2455-2494
Author(s):  
Juan José PÉREZ PÉREZ
Keyword(s):  
Natura 2000 ◽  
Habitats Directive ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Natura 2000 Network ◽  
Ecological Requirements ◽  
Wild Fauna ◽  
Community Interest ◽  
European Court ◽  
La Red

LABURPENA: Habitaten Zuzentarauaren bidez, Natura 2000 Sarea sortu zen. Europar Batasuneko kontserbazio-eremu berezien sare ekologiko koherentea da, fauna- eta flora-espezie basatien zein Europar Batasunerako garrantzitsuak diren habitat naturalen kontserbaziorako. Estatu kideek zuzentarauaren 6. artikuluan xedatutako lan batzuk egin behar dituzte. Arau hori funtsezkoa da, Natura 2000 Sareko eremuen kudeaketari dagokionez. Lan honetan, ez zaio heltzen eremu horietan eragina izan dezaketen planen eta proiektuen ebaluazioa egiteko betebeharra aztertzeari, oso espezifikoa baita. Hain zuzen ere, Batzordeko erreferentziazko dokumentazioaren eta Europar Batasuneko Justizia Auzitegiaren jurisprudentziaren azterketa oinarri hartuta, honako hauek azaltzen saiatuko da lan honetan: zer jasotzen den babestu beharreko habitaten eta espezieen eskakizun ekologikoak betetzeko neurrietan, eta zein diren hartu beharreko neurri egokiak habitat eta espezie horiek hondamendi edo aldaketa nabarmenik ez izateko, eta zuzentarauaren helburuak betetzeko. RESUMEN: La Directiva Hábitats crea la Red Natura 2000, una red ecológica europea coherente de Zonas Especiales de Conservación existente en la Unión para la conservación de especies de fauna y flora silvestres y de hábitats naturales de importancia comunitaria. Los Estados miembros tienen que acometer unas tareas contempladas en el artículo 6 de la Directiva, precepto fundamental en cuanto a la gestión de los lugares Natura 2000 concierne. En este trabajo, sin abordar, por su especifidad, la obligación de evaluar planes y proyectos que puedan afectar a estos lugares, y analizando documentación de referencia de la Comisión y la jurisprudencia del TJUE, se intenta explicar en qué consisten esas medidas de conservación necesarias que respondan a las exigencias ecológicas de los hábitats y especies a proteger, así como las medidas apropiadas para evitar, en esos hábitats y especies, deterioros y alteraciones con efectos apreciables en los objetivos de la Directiva. ABSTRACT: The Habitats Directive established the Natura 2000 network, a coherent European ecological network of special areas of conservation that exists in the European Union for the conservation of species of wild fauna and flora and natural habitats of Community interest. Member states have to undertake some tasks contemplated in article 6 of the Directive, an essential provision as far as the management of Natura 2000 sites is concerned. This work, without tackling the duty to assess plans and projects that might affect these sites because of their specifity, and analyzing the documentation of reference of Commission and the caselaw of the European Court of Justice, tries to explain those necessary measures of conservation that meet the ecological requirements of habitats and species to protect together with the appropriate measures to avoid in those habitats and species, deteriorations and alterations in so far as such disturbance could be significant in relation to the objectives of the Directive.

Natura 2000: deterioro, desclasificación de lugares de importancia comunitaria y derecho de propiedad

2014 ◽  
pp. 1543-1561
Author(s):  
Agustín GARCÍA URETA
Keyword(s):  
Natura 2000 ◽  
Case Law ◽  
Habitats Directive ◽  
Private Ownership ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Conservation Areas ◽  
Locus Standi ◽  
Court Of Justice ◽  
European Court

LABURPENA: Lan honek, Europar Batasuneko habitatei buruzko Zuzentarauaren eta Justizia Auzitegiaren gaiari buruzko doktrinaren pean, garrantzi erkideko lekuei ken dakiekeen sailkapena aztertzen du. Iruzkinak Auzitegiak onartutako fokatzeari kritikak egiten dizkio, bereziki, Cascina uzian, balizkotasun hura onartzen baitu, Zuzentarauaren hitzez hitzekoak kontserbazio bereziko guneak bakarrik aipatu arren. Agerian jartzen dira baita ere beste alderdi batzuekiko Auzitegiaren jarrerak dakarren sendotasunik eza, besteak beste, kontserbazio bereziko gune izendatu aurretik garrantzi erkideko lekuen babesarekiko eta garrantzi erkideko lekuen behin betiko zerrenda onartzen duen Batzordearen erabakia aurkaratzeko legitimazioarekiko. Azkenik, garrantzi erkideko leku bati sailkapena kentzen zaionean jabetza-eskubideak duen papera ere aztertzen da. RESUMEN: Este trabajo examina la posible desclasificación de los lugares de importancia comunitaria (LIC) bajo la Directiva de hábitats de la Unión Europea y la doctrina del Tribunal de Justicia a este respecto. El comentario plantea una serie de críticas al enfoque adoptado por el Tribunal, en particular en el asunto Cascina, en el que se acepta tal eventualidad a pesar del tenor literal de la Directiva, que solo se refiere a las zonas de especial conservación (ZEC). También se ponen en evidencia las inconsistencias que plantea la postura del Tribunal con otros aspectos, tales como la protección de los LIC antes de designarse como ZEC y la legitimación para recurrir la decisión de la Comisión que aprueba la lista definitiva de LIC. Finalmente, se examina el papel del derecho de propiedad en el caso de la desclasificación de un LIC. ABSTRACT: This contribution examines the declassification of sites of community importance (SCIs) under the European Union Habitats Directive and the case law of the European Court of Justice. The comment criticizes the approach adopted by the Court, in particular in the Cascina case, which admits that possibility despite the Directive’s express wording that only refers to special conservation areas (SCAs). The comment also highlights other inconsistencies derived from the case law such as the provisional protection of SCIs before being designated as SCAs and the locus standi to challenge the Commission’s decision adopting the definitive list of SCIs so far rejected by the Court. The comment also examines the role of private ownership in the declassification procedure.

scholarly journals The conservation objectives of the Natura 2000 area in the light of law and case law

2019 ◽  
pp. 59-80
Author(s):  
Adam Habuda
Keyword(s):  
Nature Conservation ◽  
European Commission ◽  
National Level ◽  
Natura 2000 ◽  
Case Law ◽  
Habitats Directive ◽  
European Network ◽  
Eu Member States ◽  
Proper Management ◽  
Court Of Justice

The article discusses the issue of conservation objectives of the Natura 2000 area. The basis for their analysis is the Habitats Directive and the Polish Act on Nature Conservation together with plans of conservation tasks. It is a key legal instrument for the proper management of the Natura 2000 area and the European network of Natura 2000 sites. Its importance is recognized in the legal interpretations made by the Court of Justice and non-binding documents of the European Commission. However, the question should be asked whether such an important, and indeed fundamental for Natura 2000, institution should not be clearer and more precisely regulated by the European legislator. Lack of unambiguous norms of the directive may cause discrepancies in defining the objectives of Natura 2000 protection both at the level of various EU Member States and at the national level – in relation to individual Natura 2000 areas in a given country.

scholarly journals Szata roślinna obszaru ochrony siedlisk i gatunków Natura 2000 Pakosław − współczesne przemiany i problemy ochrony [Recent changes of plant cover on special area of conservation Natura 2000 Pakoslaw (Central Poland)]

2013 ◽  
Vol 101 ◽  
pp. 125-214
Author(s):  
Romuald Olaczek ◽  
Maria Kurzac
Keyword(s):  
Conservation Status ◽  
Plant Cover ◽  
Natura 2000 ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Habitats Directive ◽  
Peat Bog ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Swamp Forest ◽  
Special Area

Special area of conservation of the Natura 2000 Pakoslaw includes peat bog (about 400 ha) and forest fragment on a neighboring hill nature reserve (28.55 ha). There are 4 species of plants: <em>Adenophora liliifolia, Ligularia sibirica, Liparis loeselii, Ostericum palustre</em> and several types of natural habitats, among others: wet meadows, transitional peat-bog, thermophilous oak forest, which requires the protection of the European Union Habitats Directive. In the peat bog flora, numbering 296 species, are present glacial relicts. The aim of study was to investigate the current status of flora and vegetation and the direction and pace of change as the basis for the active protection. This paper describes the geological, hydrological and anthropogenic environmental factors and their impact on the flora and plant communities. Particular attention was paid to accelerate the process of secondary and progressive ecological succession during the last 50 years, resulting in displacement of grasses and sedges communities willow thickets and later by alder swamp forest. Species and natural habitats of the site are threatened and need to improve their conservation status.

Ongoing Activities and Natura 2000

2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hendrik Schoukens
Keyword(s):  
Conservation Status ◽  
Natura 2000 ◽  
Case Law ◽  
Habitats Directive ◽  
Bottom Line ◽  
Member States ◽  
Effective Implementation ◽  
Court Of Justice ◽  
Legitimate Interests ◽  
Natura 2000 Site

The recent figures on the conservation status of EU protected habitats and species underscore the obvious need for a more stringent application of the protection rules included in Article 6 of the Habitats Directive on ongoing activities, such as dredging, recreation and forestry, with adverse effects on Natura 2000-sites. However, all too often the Member States refrain from scrutinizing harmful forms of existing use in already heavily degraded Natura 2000-sites. The economic concerns tied to the continuation of existing use often prevail over restoration considerations. This paper showcases that, despite submissions to the contrary, legitimate interests and legal certainty cannot, as such, preclude the application of the protection rules contained in Article 6 of the Habitats Directive in relation to ongoing activities. Whilst granting the Member States some leeway as to the application of the ex ante assessment rules to ongoing activities, the Court of Justice puts forward the protection duty enshrined in Article 6(2) of the Habitats Directive as bottom-line in relation to all possible ongoing activities which could lead to deterioration and/or significant disturbance of a Natura 2000-site. However, the recent case-law illustrates that many Member States are struggling with the effective implementation of the latter obligation.

scholarly journals IMPLEMENTATION OF THE “NATURA 2000” EUROPEAN ECOLOGICAL NETWORK IN THE 6th NORTH-WESTERN REGION

1970 ◽  
Vol 63 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Proorocu ◽  
P. V. Beldean ◽  
I. Oroian
Keyword(s):  
Natura 2000 ◽  
Habitats Directive ◽  
Western Region ◽  
Ecological Network ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Community Interest ◽  
Special Protection Areas ◽  
Two Stages ◽  
North Western ◽  
Special Protection

According to the Habitats Directive at European level there was constituted an ecological network entitled “Natura 2000” consisting of Special Areas of Conservation and Special Protection Areas. The “Natura 2000” is composed of sites which include natural habitats of community interest and community interest species habitats. The Special Areas of Conservation has been declared during two stages. During the first stage these were nominated as Sites of Community Importance. In the 6th North – Western Region there were identified 57 Sites of Community Importance (SCI) and 8 Special Protection Areas (SPA). Among the 6 counties of the 6th North – Western Region, the SCI are best represented in Maramureş county, and the SPA in Cluj county.

4. The European Courts: composition, functions, jurisdiction; preliminary rulings

2021 ◽  
pp. 79-107
Author(s):  
Margot Horspool ◽  
Matthew Humphreys ◽  
Michael Wells-Greco
Keyword(s):  
Judicial Activism ◽  
Advocate General ◽  
Member States ◽  
National Courts ◽  
European Institutions ◽  
Court Of Justice ◽  
The Future ◽  
Rules Of Procedure ◽  
Interim Measures

This chapter discusses the composition, functions and jurisdiction of the European Courts. It discusses indirect actions (preliminary rulings) and direct actions, i.e. actions brought by or against the European Institutions and the Member States, and between the Member States. The Courts are the CJEU, which includes the Court of Justice, the General Court, and specialised courts. The chapter explains the role of the Advocate General (AG), and further discusses rules of procedure, judicial activism, preliminary rulings, the jurisdiction of national courts, discretionary and mandatory references, when national courts should refer, interim measures, effect of preliminary rulings, and the future of preliminary rulings. The chapter also explains the role of the EFTA Court.

scholarly journals Regulatory data protection for medicines

2004 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
John Wilkinson ◽  
Frederick J Dorey
Keyword(s):  
Data Protection ◽  
Control Agency ◽  
European Court Of Justice ◽  
Advocate General ◽  
Court Of Justice ◽  
European Court ◽  
The Future ◽  
Regulatory Data ◽  
Prescription Services

Pending the coming into force in November 2005 of the changes to the regulatory data protection regime under European Medicines Legislation to be effected under the 'Future Medicines Legislation', the European Court of Justice (ECJ) continues to deal with cases referred to it concerning the existing law of regulatory data protection. Thus it gave Judgment on 29th April, 2004, in The Queen (on the application of Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK Ltd) v The Licensing Authority established under the Medicines Act 1968 (acting by the Medicines Control Agency), and the Advocate General gave his Opinion on 8th July, 2004, in Approved Prescription Services v The Licensing Authority (acting by the Medicines Control Agency).

Red Natura 2000: margen de apreciación estatal, evaluación de la importancia comunitaria de los lugares y situación actual de la red en Gipuzkoa

2013 ◽  
pp. 379-420
Author(s):  
Juan José PÉREZ PÉREZ
Keyword(s):  
Natura 2000 ◽  
Habitats Directive ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Member States ◽  
Lack Of Information ◽  
Margin Of Appreciation ◽  
Initial Stage ◽  
Last Stage ◽  
La Red ◽  
Selection Of

LABURPENA: Natura 2000 Europako sare ekologikoa da, habitat naturalak eta espezieak babesteko helburua duen Habitat Zuzentarauak diseinatutakoa. Sorreran, hainbat fase desberdintzen dira. Hasierakoan, estatu kideek sarearen barne egon daitezkeen lekuak hautatzen dituzte, herrialdearentzat duten garrantzia balioetsita, eta Batzordeari leku horien zerrenda aurkezten diote. Ondoren, Batzordeak leku horiek sarean sartu edo ez erabakitzen du, daukaten garrantzi komunitarioaren arabera. Lan honetan, estatu kideek hasierako fasean lekuen zerrendak osatzeko daukaten hautemate errealeko marjina aztertzen da, bai eta Batzordearen ondorengo esku hartzea ere, informazio-eskasiak erabat baldintzatzen duena. Era berean, sarea Gipuzkoan zein egoeratan dagoen aztertzen da, duela gutxi leku batzuk Babes Bereziko Eremu izendatu baitira. RESUMEN: Natura 2000 es la red ecológica europea diseñada por la Directiva Hábitats, norma que persigue un objetivo de conservación de hábitats naturales y de especies. En su creación se distinguen varias etapas. La inicial consiste en una selección por los Estados miembros de los lugares que pueden integrar la red, evaluando su importancia nacional y proponiendo una lista a la Comisión, Institución que seguidamente efectúa una nueva selección de lugares mediante una evaluación de la importancia comunitaria de los mismos. En este trabajo se analiza el margen de apreciación real para configurar las listas nacionales de lugares del que disponen los Estados miembros en esa etapa inicial, y la posterior intervención de la Comisión, condicionada por su falta de información. También se describe la situación de la red en Gipuzkoa, cuando su creación llega a la etapa final con la reciente designación de algunos lugares como Zona Especiales de Conservación. ABSTRACT: Natura 2000 is the European ecologic network designed by the Habitats Directive and it pursues the objective of conservation of natural habitats and species. In its creation, several stages are to be distinguished. The initial one lies in one selection of the sites that might be part of the network elaborated by the Member States, assessing their national relevance and proposing a list to the Commission, and this institution will subsequently do a new selection of sites after an evaluation of those. In this work we analyze the real margin of appreciation when elaborating the national lists of sites by the Member States in that initial stage, and the following intervention of the Commission, which is constrained by its lack of information. It is also described the situation of the network in Gipuzkoa, when its creation is at the last stage with the recent designation of some sites as Special Areas of Conservation.

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