Berne Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats
Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats | |
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File:Logo Bern Convention.jpg | |
Signed | 19 September 1979 |
Standort | Bern |
Effective | 1 June 1982 |
Condition | 5 ratifications |
Depositary | Council of Europe |
Sprache | English, 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
Signatories
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 |
---|---|---|---|
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, Belarus, 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
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
- Environmental agreements
- Red Data Book of the Russian Federation
- International Union for Conservation of Nature
External links
- Text of treaty and appendices
- Council of Europe environment and sustainable development
- Meetings for Nature 2012
- Natura 2000 network
References
- ^ 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
- ^ 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
- ^ Treaty Office on http://conventions.coe.int
- ^ http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/page-1364
- ^ 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
- ^ 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
- ^ 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
- ^ 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