Despite past commitments and actions, the global community, including the EU, missed its 2010 target of halting biodiversity loss. Consequently, in May 2011 the European Commission adopted an EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2020 (COM (2011) 244) which defines the EU objectives to protect biodiversity and restore ecosystems in the EU and globally, as follows:
“2020 headline target: Halting the loss of biodiversity and the degradation of ecosystem services in the EU by 2020, and restoring them in so far as feasible, while stepping up the EU contribution to averting global biodiversity loss”
The Parliament has adopted a report on 20 April2012, drafted by Gerben-Jan Gerbrandy MEP, that called for biodiversity to be considered and integrated in all other EU policy fields including the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) which are currently being reviewed. The report highlighted the animal welfare issues related to biodiversity conservation and called for further policy integration with animal welfare, animal health and trade, and an acknowledgment of the role wildlife trade and disease play in contributing to biodiversity loss.
Preventing the introduction of invasive alien species (IAS) was raised as the most cost-effective way to address the loss of biodiversity from IAS. Member States and the Commission were also called on to monitor and report on imports of exotic species and to consider proposals for banning the trade in wild-caught animals.
Trade agreements were also noted as an important tool to reduce the negative impacts of EU consumption that contributes to biodiversity loss by promoting sustainable agriculture and wildlife trade safeguards.
Revisions to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) are underway and the European Commission is expected to propose an EU Invasive Alien Species Strategy by the end of 2012.
For more information on this issue, please visit:
European Parliament: Motion for a Resolution on Our life insurance, our natural capital: an EU biodiversity strategy to 2020 (A7-0101/2012)
European Commission Biodiversity Strategy: Our life insurance, our natural capital: an EU biodiversity strategy to 2020 {SEC(2011) 540 final} {SEC(2011) 541 final}
