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*[[Red Data Book of the Russian Federation]]
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*[[International Union for Conservation of Nature]]
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==References==
{{reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==

Revision as of 04:47, 17 May 2013

For other uses of "Berne Convention", see Berne Convention (disambiguation).
Bern Convention or Berne Convention
Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats
File:Logo Bern Convention.jpg
Signed19 September 1979
StandortBern
Effective1 June 1982
Condition5 ratifications
Parties51
DepositaryCouncil of Europe
SpracheEnglish, French, Italian, Russian and German

The Bern Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats, also known as the Bern Convention (or Berne Convention), is a binding international legal instrument in the field of Nature Conservation, it covers the natural heritage in Europe, as well as in some African countries. The Convention was open for signature on September 19, 1979 and came into force on June 1, 1982. It is particularly concerned about protecting natural habitats and endangered species, including migratory species.

Aims and objectives

The convention has three main aims, which are stated in Article 1:[1]

  • to conserve wild flora and fauna and their natural habitats
  • to promote cooperation between states
  • to give particular attention to endangered and vulnerable species including endangered and vulnerable migratory species

Structure

The convention is divided into:

  • Preamble

Because this convention has a special nature, which is to include the maximum number of signatures possible, it is covered the eventual signature by non-members of the Council of Europe: “the member States of the Council of Europe and the other signatories hereto, Considering that the aim of the Council of Europe is to achieve a greater unity between its members,..”[2]

  • Chapter I – General provisions

It contains three articles, where it is stated the three aims of the Convention and general obligations of the Contracting Parties.

  • Chapter II – Protection of habitats

Here are set out the obligations of the Contracting Parties concerning the conservation of the habitats.

  • Chapter III – Protection of species

It contains the obligations of the Contracting Parties regarding the Appendices I, II, III and IV and the exceptions of these obligations.

  • Chapter IV – Special provisions for migratory species

It contains the obligations of the Contracting Parties regarding migratory species.

  • Chapter V – Supplementary provisions

It contains supplementary obligations of the Contracting Parties, concerning co-operation, research, reintroduction and introduction of species.

  • Chapter VI – Standing Committee

It settles the functioning procedure of the Standing Committee and their tasks.

  • Chapter VII – Amendments

Contains the procedure of amendments regarding articles and Appendices of the Convention.

  • Chapter VIII – Settlement of disputes

It contains the procedure of the arbitration of any disputes that could arise between Contracting Parties.

  • Chapter IX – Final provisions

It contains the final arrangements of the Convention.

  • Appendices:

Four appendices set out particular species for protection. They are regularly updated by the Standing Committee, who are advised by a number of Expert Groups:

  • Appendix I – Strictly protected flora species
  • Appendix II – Strictly protected fauna species
  • Appendix III – Protected fauna species
  • Appendix IV – Prohibited means and methods of killing, capture and other exploitation

Ratifying states

States that have ratified the Bern Convention

Member States of the Council of Europe [3]

State Signature Ratification Entry into force
Albanien 31/10/1995 13/1/1999 1/5/1999
Andorra 11/5/2000 13/10/2000 1/2/2001
Armenien 13/3/2006 14/4/2008 1/8/2008
Österreich 19/9/1979 2/5/1983 1/9/1983
Aserbaidschan 28/3/2000 a 1/7/2000
Belgien 19/9/1979 24/8/1990 1/12/1990
Bosnien und Herzegowina 17/11/2008 17/11/2008 1/3/2009
Bulgarien 31/1/1991 a 1/5/1991
Kroatien 3/11/1999 3/7/2000 1/11/2000
Zypern 21/10/1981 16/5/1988 1/9/1988
Tschechische Republik 8/10/1997 25/2/1998 1/6/1998
Dänemark 19/9/1979 8/9/1982 1/1/1983
Estland 3/8/1992 a 1/12/1992
Finnland 19/9/1979 9/12/1985 1/4/1986
Frankreich 19/9/1979 26/4/1990 1/8/1990
Georgien 18/5/2009 19/11/2009 1/3/2010
Deutschland 19/9/1979 13/12/1984 1/4/1985
Griechenland 19/9/1979 13/6/1983 1/10/1983
Ungarn 16/11/1989 a 1/3/1990
Island 17/6/1993 17/6/1993 1/10/1993
Irland 19/9/1979 23/4/1982 1/8/1982
Italien 19/9/1979 11/2/1982 1/6/1982
Lettland 23/1/1997 23/1/1997 1/5/1997
Liechtenstein 19/9/1979 30/10/1980 1/6/1982
Litauen 28/9/1994 5/9/1996 1/1/1997
Luxemburg 19/9/1979 23/3/1982 1/7/1982
Malta 26/11/1993 26/11/1993 1/3/1994
Moldawien 24/5/1994 a 1/9/1994
Monaco 7/2/1994 a 1/6/1994
Montenegro 3/3/2009 1/10/2009 1/2/2010
Niederlande 19/9/1979 28/10/1980 1/6/1982
Norwegen 19/9/1979 27/5/1986 1/9/1986
Polen 24/3/1995 13/9/1995 1/1/1996
Portugal 19/9/1979 3/2/1982 1/6/1982
Rumänien 18/5/1993 a 1/9/1993
Serbien 9/1/2008 9/1/2008 1/5/2008
Slowakei 28/4/1994 23/9/1996 1/1/1997
Slowenien 20/10/1998 29/9/1999 1/1/2000
Spanien 19/9/1979 27/5/1986 1/9/1986
Schweden 19/9/1979 14/6/1983 1/10/1983
Schweiz 19/9/1979 12/3/1981 1/6/1982
The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia 17/12/1998 17/12/1998 1/4/1999
Türkei 19/9/1979 2/5/1984 1/9/1984
Ukraine 17/8/1998 5/1/1999 1/5/1999
Vereinigtes Königreich 19/9/1979 28/5/1982 1/9/1982

Non-member states of the Council of Europe

State Signature Ratification Entry into force
Weißrussland 19/2/2013 a 1/6/2013
Burkina Faso 14/6/1990 a 1/10/1990
Marokko 25/4/2001 a 1/8/2001
Senegal 13/4/1987 a 1/8/1987
Tunesien 12/1/1996 a 1/5/1996

International Organisations

Organisations Signature Ratification Entry into force
European Union 19/9/1979 7/5/1982 1/9/1982

Algeria, Cape Verde, the Holy See, San Marino and Russia are among non-signatories that have observer status at meetings of the committee.

The convention led to the creation in 1998 of the Emerald network of Areas of Special Conservation Interest (ASCIs) throughout the territory of the parties to the convention, which operates alongside the European Union's Natura 2000[4] programme.

Duties of Contracting Parties

All countries that have signed the convention must:[5]

  • promote national conservation policies
  • promote measures against pollution
  • promote educational and informative measures
  • co-ordinate efforts to protect migratory species
  • establish legislative and administrative measures

Monitoring the implementation of the convention

To achieve successfully the aims of this Convention, a number of monitoring devices were implemented.

Reporting system

  • Compulsory biannual reports
  • Voluntary general reports (every four years)
  • Legal reports (one country per year)
  • National reports
  • Follow-up of recommendations

[6]

Groups of experts

The chosen experts are in charge of monitoring the implementation of the Standing Committee recommendation regarding species and habitats, as well as doing their own recommendations about specific conservation problems.[7]

Case-file System

The system is based in complaints for possible non-compliance or other problems related with the provisions of the Convention. These complaints are processed by the Secretariat, the Bureau and the Standing Committee and when they feel there is the need for further information, on-the-spot visits by independent experts can be arranged.[8]

See also

References

  1. ^ Council of Europe,1979.Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Heritage. Bern, Switzerland. Available at:http://conventions.coe.int/Treaty/EN/Treaties/Html/104.htm
  2. ^ Council of Europe,1979.Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Heritage. Bern, Switzerland. Available at:http://conventions.coe.int/Treaty/EN/Treaties/Html/104.htm
  3. ^ Treaty Office on http://conventions.coe.int
  4. ^ http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/page-1364
  5. ^ Council of Europe,1979.Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Heritage. Bern, Switzerland. Available at:http://conventions.coe.int/Treaty/EN/Treaties/Html/104.htm
  6. ^ Council of Europe.Nature Convention on the conservation of European wildlife and natural habitats . Available at:http://www.coe.int/t/dg4/cultureheritage/nature/bern/default_en.asp
  7. ^ Council of Europe.Nature Convention on the conservation of European wildlife and natural habitats . Available at:http://www.coe.int/t/dg4/cultureheritage/nature/bern/default_en.asp
  8. ^ Council of Europe.Nature Convention on the conservation of European wildlife and natural habitats . Available at:http://www.coe.int/t/dg4/cultureheritage/nature/bern/default_en.asp
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