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ELO, with the financial and technical support of the European Commission’s Directorate General for the environment,

in cooperation with its national partners from Union Rurale and the Platform Buitengebied, decided to launch a one-year major communication campaign on Natura 2000 and the conservation of biodiversity, for both an informed audience but also for the public at large, families and younger people, entitled, ‘From Belgium to Europe with Natura 2000’.

Why is ELO committed to the promotion of Natura

2000 in Belgium?Over the generations the countryside

has preserved the environmental riches we currently enjoy in Europe since it is the foundation for productive services and a storehouse of food and non-food resources. Sustainable development requires the 3 pillars - environmental, social and economic – to be balanced.

Excessively burdensome transpo-sition of Community texts can hin-der the viability of rural businesses. Natura 2000 and the preservation of biodiversity must not lead to a long list of short-sighted bans. The implementation of the network must be based on scientifically established needs so that the management plan can protect those species which are in need of protection.

A good understanding of what Natura 2000 implies and an ongoing dialogue between the different admini-strations, scientists, environmental bodies and the users of the land will lead to the right adjustments being made. Con-servation objectives can only be achieved in partnership with the managers and users of the land. Interaction bet-ween man and nature is fundamental.

This special edition of Countryside describes some of the implications which Natura 2000 has for the main activi-ties of our members. The process of information and dialogue developed by ELO during its communication cam-paign in Belgium could be an example for your country or region to adopt.

Do not hesitate to consult the websi-te, where you will find further informa-tion and articles about to be published. Let us know what you think.

December 2006 - January 2007

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Why is ELO committed to the promotion of Natura 2000 in Belgium? 1

Sustainable agriculture and Natura 2000 in Belgium 3

Belgian Forests and NATURA 2000 4

Natura 2000 in Belgium and extractive companies 6

Natura 2000 in Belgium and outdoor activities 7

NATURA 2000 in Belgium and organized outdoor activities 9

Pony trekking, ramblers, motor cross, mountain biking, quad bikes and 4x4s 10

Daniele BIANCHI The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) 12

Diary Dates 12

The preservation of biologi-cal riches and diversity is of major importance for future generations. ‘Biodiversity’ is the source of the natural resources that we use, and should be a daily concern. Scientific studies indicate that the impact of our consumer societies on biodiver-sity, i.e. our ‘ecological footprint’, is too great.

The major biodiversity conserva-tion tool in Europe is the Natura 2000 network. Although its objective, cou-pled with the relevant environmental regulations, is laudable and desir-able, its rules and implementation are difficult for professionals and the public to understand.

This lack of understanding is an obstacle to the smooth function-ing of conservation policy, and to sustainable development, because it weakens the socio-economic fabric of the countryside. This is why ELO decided to launch this communica-tion programme aimed at as broad a public as possible, in order to clarify and publicize what is at stake.

Media Campaign

Launched in December 2005, the year-long media campaign com-prised press coverage, in particular in journals and the major Belgian

newspapers, through monthly arti-cles on specific topics concerning Natura 2000 and different rural activi-ties in the three regions of Belgium. The radio also relayed the message in the form of debates. A selection of these articles is reproduced in this special edition and we encourage you to consult our websites for more complete information, www.country-fair.be and www.elo.org.

A series of lectures on the implementation of Natura 2000 in Belgium was also organized dur-ing 2006 both at a federal level (Grand Bigard, 25 April), in Wallonia (Château de Courrières, 17 May), and in Flanders (Kampenhout 14 June) in the presence of representa-tives of the European Commission – DG Environment, various adminis-trations and local stakeholders.

European Country Fair, 22-24 September 2006, Château de Hex, Limburg

The high point of this campaign, the European Country Fair lasting 3 days, brought together the different stakeholders of the countryside and the public around a single idea - the contribution of rural professionals to the conservation of biodiversity through 7 major topics (environment, hunting and fishing, dogs and hors-es, agriculture and forestry, sport and adventure, rural entreprise, chil-dren and country living).

The European Country Fair, which

was held on a 60 hectare estate in the north of Belgium, was the focal point for the exchange of views between landowners or farmers and managers in the different agricultural or forestry sectors, anglers, hunters, ramblers, rural entrepreneurs, outdoor pursuit clubs, federal and regional adminis-trations, environmental NGOs, scien-tists, the European Commission etc.

The European Country Fair there-fore brought together some one hundred commercial exhibitors from the rural world (extractive industries,

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The NATURA 2000 sites, identi-fied and designated at a national and regional level, mainly com-prise land used for farming and forestry. Belgian agriculture is no longer merely required to produce food for humans and animals in the best health conditions possi-ble but must also limit the impact on natural resources such as water and soil, and different animal or plant species. The environmental aspects of the CAP provide sat-isfactory results for farmland and in particular in NATURA 2000 and VEN-Vlaams Ecologisch Netwerk zones. Sustainable agriculture, a combination of efficient farm-

ing and nature conservation, is achieved through the CAP’s agri-environmental measures and good agricultural practice. Therefore whether for a farmer of Tongeren or Wanze, these measures have tangible effects on the biodiversity of their territory. Intelligent man-agement permits different levels of activity on the same property. As well as the purely productive side of their activities, farmers apply the different measures funded by the ‘green’ part of the CAP, such as 10m wide grassy borders, fallow land for wildlife, permanent mead-ows, hedgerows, or late mow-ing etc. Establishing permanent

meadows often involves planting clover or legumes on poorer farm-land which encourages insects and therefore micro-fauna and fauna as well as flora such as wild orchids.

On the other hand the ‘zero fertilizer’ example of VEN (fertiliz-ers and pesticides) which goes beyond the standards of the European Union, jeopardizes farm businesses; whereas according to our information, merely restrict-ing use to 170u allows the co-existence of profitable farming and environmental conservation. Although sites are designated

Sustainable agriculture and Natura 2000 in Belgium

The management of farmland has been fundamentally transformed over the last few decades, in particular due to the new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) together with the various environmental regulations, including NATURA 2000. NATURA 2000,

the product of the Birds (1979) and Habitats (1992) Directives is intended to protect zones or sites of Community interest and priority species through the establishment of a coherent ecological network.

biomass, renewable energies, crop protection, service providers etc), stands from countryside associ-ations and NGOs. Various dog, horse, angling and clay pigeon demonstrations were proposed during these 3 days, as well as film screenings including the films from the Namur Festival. The European Commission stand was highly suc-cessful with the public, in par-ticular with children. The Friday afternoon was devoted specifically to Flemish and Wallonian schools and the European School.

In parallel, seminars on various topics were run with the partici-pation of associations, business, administration, universities and the European Commission. The debate on Natura 2000 in Belgium

took stock of the issue and future needs. In the same way the new Member States exchanged their points of view on the application of the ‘acquis communautaire’ in the area of biodiversity conservation. The European Country Fair was also the opportunity to award two prizes:- The ‘Environment and Soil

Management’ prize, awarded by Konstantinos KOSTOPOULOS, member of the Cabinet of Commissioner Stavros DIMAS, to Jim BULLOCK for ‘Mill Farm’, Guarlford, Worcestershire, England.

- The Belleuropa prize for a sustai-nable environment awarded by Ladislav MIKO, DG Environment and Minister Kris PEETERS to

the Duke of WESTMINISTER for ‘La Garganta’, Castilla La Mancha, Spain, in the presence of political figures in particular from Lombardy, Lionello Marco PAGNONCELLI, Renata CROTTI, Ivan CHIODINI.

‘From Belgium to Europe with Natura 2000’ produced excellent results and it would be interest-ing to see similar initiatives being taken in other member states.

Please feel free to consult our website for applications for the various prizes, in particular the ‘Soil’, ‘Anders Wall’ and ‘Belleuropa Living Countryside Award’ prizes (www.elo.org).

n Marie-Alice BUDNIOK

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In Belgium, to comply with the European directives, the zones judged worthy of protection have been identified. These cover most of the woodland in Flanders. In Wallonia they make up a third of the forest designated as a zone of European interest; this in turn represents three quarters of the Wallonian NATURA 2000 sites. The fact that European criteria have deemed such a large part of Belgian forests worthy of protection illus-trates that past management of these sites has respected nature and the environment.

What is the particular contribu-tion of Belgian private forests to the creation and protection of bio-diversity?

The positive contribution of for-estry, in terms of protecting natu-ral fauna and flora, has occurred on private land over generations, as part of long-term management. The vitality of this management and the diversity of the choices made by a multitude of stakeholders did not just lead to meeting the local population’s need for wood for vari-ous requirements such as heating, housing or building, but it also led

to the development of a rich bio-logical abundance of both flora and fauna and a remarkably interest-ing landscape. These are the most well-known additional environmen-tal contributions made, apart from the production of wood. Both rural and urban citizens can as a result appreciate the many pleasures of our countryside (rambling, berry and mushroom picking, camping, outdoor sports etc).

What are the implications of the setting up of the European ecologi-cal network NATURA 2000 for pri-vate Belgian forestry zones?

Belgian Forests and NATURA 2000

The European Union’s main instrument for promoting the conservation of natural habitats and wild species is an ecological network called NATURA 2000. Its intention to protect biodiversity by creating a solid ecological network throughout Europe is

highly laudable and desirable, and it is even one of the European Union’s priorities as a matter of higher ‘general interest’.

exclusively on a scientific basis, the management plans of the NATURA 2000 sites must accom-modate socio-economic aspects. The local stakeholders would like to find the right balance of inten-sive or extensive sustainable farm-ing and environmental and wild-life conservation. The objectives of conservation currently being defined must be applicable in the field while respecting pre-existing economic use, in order to best protect biodiversity.

In certain precise cases it would appear that the conser-vation objectives require environ-mental conservation systems to go beyond agri-environmental measures and good agricultural practice, both of which are already strict. For these additional man-agement constraints several tools are possible, including contracts negotiated with the region for a

period of 5 years or co-funding by the European Union through the existing structural funds.

The current examples from the Belgian farming world illustrate a clear preference for goals to pro-tect biodiversity, which is the cor-nerstone of land enhancement, but also show concern about the future due to the lack of long-term visibility.

Managers of the countryside from time immemorial, farmers must be included in developing conservation objectives, in coop-eration with scientists and admin-istrations, so that the ambitious NATURA 2000 project may, in the best possible conditions, be established in the field and given adequate medium and long-term funding.

n Marie-Alice BUDNIOK

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More than agriculture, forests not only provide shelter for fauna but often the trees themselves constitute this biodiversity (host-ing insect colonies, bat and bird refuges). The conflict of interest between maximising produc-tion and the desire to protect at all costs can now be resolved. A holistic approach is therefore necessary, since it is imperative to preserve the forestry activity which is the source of the rich biodiversity as well as to further develop it. Although the general principle of protecting biodiversity is beyond dispute, its practical application requires an approach which is both knowledge-based and measured.

Why is the world of private Belgian forests becoming disil-lusioned about NATURA 2000 although it initially welcomed it?

Being classified a NATURA 2000 zone should at first sight be seen as recognition for previ-ous positive management and an encouragement to continue. But the way the authorities are imple-menting the network is perceived as a step away from such a con-cept, and NATURA 2000 designa-tions seem to mean numerous restrictions on use, the quasi-imposition of land easements and cumbersome, costly management constraints.

Too many restrictions on for-estry will have a negative effect on the viability of forest activities and more broadly on the whole of the rural economy. Forest busi-nesses urgently need to regain a high profile and attractive long-term prospects in order to guar-

antee appropriate, careful and sustainable management. Turning the countryside and its forests into a museum would remove the incentives behind the support cur-rently provided by so many.

What are the main grievances of rural land and forest owners about the implementation process of NATURA 2000 in Belgium?

Apart from the lack of consul-tation during the site designation and the lack of real dialogue, the grievances are technical in nature. The Birds and Habitats Directives have been transposed into national legislation, which in a federal state like Belgium means twice the legislative effort, both in Wallonia and Flanders. Flanders opted for a specific sys-tem, the VEN – Vlaams Ecologisch Netwerk, encompassing NATURA 2000 and taking it further. In this body of legislation it is therefore difficult to say whether a measure is derived from Community law or from a purely regional intention. The message of NATURA 2000 has as a result become rather muddled.

In Wallonia the approach, which is based on legal texts adopted under the previous gov-ernment, has a regulatory and coercive nature whereas certain neighbouring countries have opted for a system using only incentives. At this stage direct negotiation is necessary with landowners and occupiers in particular regarding the measures which affect them.

Another stumbling block is the insertion of concepts the profes-sion does not understand, such

as imposing the notion of ‘indig-enous’ species, an imprecise term not mentioned in the Community’s NATURA 2000 texts. Although it is only logical for specific species, and indigenous ones in particu-lar, to be present in a negotiated project to restore a specific eco-system, the general ban on spe-cies judged to be ‘exotic’ is unjus-tified. In fact such a ban would have seriously negative econom-ic implications. In Wallonia for example 80% of wood comes from ‘exotic’ species. Moreover, these species have often been in Belgium for centuries.

The question of finding the money for these additional con-straints is crucial. For NATURA 2000 to work in Belgium while respecting everyone’s rights, a clear alliance between the author-ities and the stakeholders is indis-pensable. As the goals are in the general interest it would not be fair for the rural stakeholders affected by these constraints to be the only ones to foot the bill. This is all the more true since the income of farmers and foresters, who are most affected, has already been under pressure in recent years.

If it is adequately evaluated, coordinated and financed, the NATURA 2000 network could be a magnificent tool to achieve the goals of protecting biodiversity in our country.

n Marie-Alice BUDNIOK

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These different products are the basic elements for many other activities such as building and industries such as steel, chemi-cals, glass, car manufacturing etc.

Investments in the many manu-facturing processes have allowed these extractive industries, many of which are world leaders, to optimize their production and reduce waste and their impact on the environment as well as contri-bute to the restoration or even the improvement of biodiversity. These leading industries closely monitor new environmental poli-cies, in particular those concer-ning the protection of the soil and the sustainable use of natural resources, so that they have the time to adjust. Certain industries even anticipate the regulations by voluntarily submitting to the ISO 9000 and ISO 14001 standards.

How can the NATURA 2000 conservation network, the product of the Birds Directive (1979) and the Habitats Directive (1992) adop-ted by the Member States, have an impact on the activity of the extractive businesses in Belgium? The NATURA 2000 network, a real patchwork of protection ‘zones’ or ‘sites’ in Belgium and Europe, is intended to maintain ‘commu-nity interest’ species in a good state of conservation be it fauna, (mammals, insects, amphibians, reptiles, birds etc) or flora (trees, plants, algae) and their referen-ce habitats (wetlands, moors, dunes etc) for future generations.

Currently the overwhelming majo-rity of site designations are on private land. The marine designa-tions are now underway. These zones therefore are not natural reserves from which man is exclu-ded but places where interaction between man and nature is funda-mental – semi-natural areas which we currently enjoy and which have been shaped and preserved by human activity.

Although the objective of NATURA 2000 is praiseworthy and desirable, its implementation is more delicate, because in the designated zones previously exis-ting rural activities are carried out, such as extractive activities which are extremely useful for man and our modern consumer society. In these zones which are exclusively designated using scientific crite-ria, operating rights pre-exist and new constraints can limit or even ban the exercise of these rights, in order to protect the environment (e.g. crested triton living close to ponds linked to mining activities,

or certain plants). The activity of the industry must therefore com-ply with these new constraints, in conformity with article 6 of the Directive and its transposition into national law (see the European Commission site: interpretation guide to article 6, and guide to articles 12 and 16 currently being adopted). This article does not freeze the development of rural areas but regulates the exercise of the activities in them, analy-zing their potential environmen-tal impact. If the impact is too great to allow the site to be kept in a good state of conservation, then the activity will be banned. Financial compensation will the-refore be due for the loss of the earlier operating rights. In the case of prospecting, extension or the opening of new quarries or mines, the procedure is similar and the application will have to go through the prior authorisation procedure and impact studies, including the analysis of article 6 on a case by case basis. Certain authorizations may be granted if, in exchange,

Natura 2000 in Belgium and extractive companies

Rural areas are the source of many activities and provide leisure for the different regions of Belgium. Apart from biomass production, be it food or non-food products, a certain number of extractive activities are important for the Belgian economy

whether it be ornamental rock quarrying, limestone, sand or aggregates.

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equivalent environmental compen-sation is found which maintains the balance of the NATURA 2000 network, i.e. if a new site is crea-ted or if the state of conservation of part of the site is considerably improved.

For a long time the extractive industries have taken environmen-tal parameters on board and fun-ded environmental programmes. These include standards concer-ning noise, smoke and transport, and rehabilitation programmes fol-lowing extraction, such as conver-ting extraction sites into habitats for rare species (e.g. creating cliffs for river swallows to nest in, or

habitats for the eagle owl etc) or turning them into tourist areas by creating lakes, ponds, plantations, parks and nature reserves, esta-blished in cooperation with the local authorities and environmen-tal organizations.

It is therefore clear that rural areas must not be ‘frozen’ and that consultation with the different par-ties involved can lead to harmo-nious sustainable development, by combining the necessary socio-economic activities and environ-mental conservation throughout the manufacturing chain. This can also be achieved by a determined commitment on the part of these firms to improving the environ-ment, in particular by taking action to protect rare species and their habitats. NATURA 2000 as part of a business project can be an inte-resting tool based on a construc-tive dialogue with the authorities and the parties involved.

Better understanding of the industrial and environmental issues at stake can send out an enduring

message and improve attitudes to biodiversity on the part of industry or individuals. It is an important challenge since the success of NATURA 2000 could prevent the decline of biodiversity up to 2010 and beyond. NATURA 2000 highli-ghts the semi-natural heritage we enjoy, be it the NATURA 2000 sites or more broadly the countryside where similar standards apply. We must be in a position to pass it on to future generations.

It is in this spirit that as part of the information campaign on NATURA 2000 in Belgium ELO organized the European Country Fair for the public and for schools from 22nd to 24th September in HEX, illustrating different rural activities including the extractive industry, their contribution to the NATURA 2000 network and future perspectives.

n Marie-Alice BUDNIOK

Natura 2000 in Belgium and outdoor activities

The aim of the Natura 2000 network for protected sites, which is a product of the Birds (1979) and Habitats (1992) Directives, is to allow the European Union and every member state to preserve the biodiversity of our countryside and semi-

natural areas, both the fauna and flora of Community interest. The sites are mostly on land, although the maritime areas are currently being designated.

These mostly private areas where there are various types of rural activities in farming or fores-try are also outdoor activity areas for a large part of the Belgian population. Whether in Flanders or Wallonia, the high quality rural landscapes and semi-natural areas do not just attract locals but also city-dwellers. This is even more

true in the Brussels region, such as in the Forest of Soignes and the Woluwe Valley, the Kauwberg and Engeland plateaus, the val-leys of Buysdelle, Kinsenbeek or Fond’Roy, or in the wooded wet-lands of the Molenbeek valley. In springtime many of our fel-low citizens take the opportunity of enjoying accessible areas on

family walks or picking flowers such as lily of the valley, blue-bells or daffodils – the mushroom season being later on in the year.

These are after all very com-mon activities in semi-natural areas, but are they really neutral and harmless for Natura 2000 sites? Can the classification of

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certain territories as Natura 2000 sites call into question these tra-ditional leisure activities? Natura 2000 territories are now known to be anything but sanctuaries where man is excluded.

But although generally spea-king areas maintained for and by farming and forestry must be respected by other users, further precautions are necessary on a Natura 2000 site. The protection of a Natura 2000 site does not just apply to fauna but also to the flora which is present. Productive eco-nomic activity is therefore inclu-ded in the site’s management plan. Equally a certain number of limits on particular uses can be introduced during so-called sen-sitive periods for the reproduction of an animal or plant species.

So how can we get across to the public the message of preventive adaptation for each Natura 2000 site? For all these very common activities which are not managed by national or regio-nal organizations it is vital that we send out a general preventive message in our efforts towards the laudable Natura 2000 goals, as well as specific information on the Natura 2000 sites frequen-ted. The collective unconscious encourages everyone to consider natural or semi-natural resour-ces as unlimited. Experience has demonstrated that this is false.

Increased awareness is neces-sary, and the best way of doing this is to provide information on a board at the site’s entrance or along the marked footpaths accessible to the public.

These signs should contain information on site protection. During some periods there may be a recommendation that dogs be kept on a lead to avoid them wandering off into the under-growth and disturbing certain species. The same applies to gathering. Some types of soil and vegetation which may be home to protected insects or invertebrates may be trampled on when people cut across to get to the plants. Consistency is vital – if constraints are imposed on a farm situated in the designated Natura 2000 area, similar restrictions should apply to the users during their outdoor pur-suits. This sort of public access, modified according to the site’s biological needs, will keep it in a good state of conservation. It may be useful to reduce or channel the pressure of dense human activity on semi-natural areas to allow natural regeneration or to allow for the reproduction and hiber-nation periods of the very diverse life cycles of the species being protected.

For example, access to certain caves could be controlled, since if bats are disturbed during hibernation

they can suffer thermal shocks and lose a major percentage of the reserves they need to survive the winter.

Natura 2000 must be percei-ved not as a constraint on family fun but as an opportunity to make everyone aware of the need to respect semi-natural areas and contribute to their conservation for generations to come. The ‘man and biodiversity’ balance is a must on Natura 2000 sites. Displaying information on the site using educational notice boards is an opportunity for people to learn a little biology, find out more about the environment and gain a better understanding of the abun-dance of our Belgian countryside in order to preserve it for genera-tions to come.

For official information consult the European Commission web-site on ‘Nature Conservation’. Direct Link: http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/nature/home.htm

n Marie-Alice BUDNIOK

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NATURA 2000 in Belgium and organized outdoor activities

The school holiday period is the time for outdoor leisure pursuits in the Belgian countryside, as a family or with friends, in organized sport clubs or youth camps. There is no need to go far from home to find these places, a typical example being that of Brussels and the

Brussels Region where anyone can go for a walk in the public parks which are NATURA 2000 sites (Forest of Soignes, Mollenbeek valley etc).

Likewise in Wallonia and Flanders, there are many zones where rural activity has led to the development of attractive areas, some of which have been clas-sified as NATURA 2000 regions such as the Lasne and Dyle Valleys, the underground quarries of Orp-Jauche, Burdinale Valley, the Fagnes, the Amblève Springs, the Ourthe Valley, the Lienne Springs, the Daverdisse forest, the Longchamps and Noville ponds, the Semois and Lesse basins, the Marche en Famenne military camp, Bambois Lake, Cerfontaine Forest, the Collines Country, the Trouille Valley, Trou aux Feuilles, the Eau Blanche Valley, Bokrijk en omgeving, Zwin, Demervallei, Polders, de Maten, Voerstreek etc.

Does this mean that every-thing is permitted in these par-ticularly attractive areas? Clearly not, because for a large majority of these areas such as the for-ests, fields or wetlands produc-tive activities are already present; and although access may be authorized, elementary rules for respecting nature must be fol-lowed by the different users. In the NATURA 2000 zones extra pre-cautions will of course be taken. These zones enjoy enhanced pro-tection in order to preserve their richness in terms of both flora and fauna. In the three regions in Belgium around 450 zones or ‘sites’ have thus been designated on the basis of ecological qual-ity in order to create a cohesive protection network for habitats and species, and this network

links up with the other European Union countries. This true fabric of interconnected protection sites geared to the characteristics of species whether migratory or not and their geographical distribution in Europe is called the ‘NATURA 2000’ network. It was born as a result of the European Birds (1979) and Habitats (1992) directives. In Belgium it covers about 18% of the territory and includes 37 rare species, 107 birds, 59 fragile land habitats (wetlands, dunes etc), as well as marine zones which are currently being designated.

In the designated zones in the special protection scheme, socio-economic activities are being adjusted in order to avoid or compensate for potential negative impacts. Likewise leisure activities are slowly accommodating the management and maintenance constraints of these zones. This is why it is important to send out a clear message during organized activities and in particular those for children.

The example of youth camps and scout groups is especially interesting. When young peo-ple are in touch with nature they are particularly receptive to the general message on prevention and nature conservation. Visiting a NATURA 2000 site is also an opportunity to go into more details using scientific and area manage-ment criteria as part of their enter-tainment. These different notions could be reused by young people learning other subjects as part of more classical teaching. To rec-

oncile man and nature it is funda-mental to provide the right sort of teaching to pass knowledge on to younger generations. If they are aware of the quality and fragile nature of the species concerned, young people will be more likely to respect them when engaged in outdoor activities.

The educational message is often displayed on notice-boards at the entrance or inside the site itself. In areas where signage is not yet available, explanations about the characteristics of the zone could be given by the staff and organizers using the infor-mation circulated by the regions and managers of the site, as in Kuringen for example. Certain parts of the site could be avoided, depending on the season, in order not to disturb the breeding periods of fragile species, be they birds, mammals, insects, reptiles or oth-ers. It would also be judicious to choose alternative routes to avoid trampling fragile ground, espe-cially as typical invertebrates live there. Access to certain sections of a river classified as ‘stepping stones’ could be limited if they are fragile in terms of aquatic fauna, flora and riverbank ecosystems. The restrictions are intended to provide the necessary protection to certain migratory or passage species. Campsites would have to be located in such a way as to avoid a potential negative impact on the site (with regard to the lay-out of the clearing, choice of trees to be felled, challenges regarding what is suitable for the setting etc).

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Pony trekking, ramblers, motor cross, mountain biking, quad bikes and 4x4s

Belgium has many attractive rural areas shaped by various human activities. This diversity of open landscapes and forests, primarily used for productive purposes, especially attracts enthusiasts of outdoor sports and tracks in the summer. Be it low-

profile users such as horse riders or cyclists, or motor cross, horse-driven carriages, quad bike or 4X4 enthusiasts, they should all be aware of the need to take care of the natural environment. These sports require large areas and varied or even specially laid-out zones.

Unlike the received idea of an enduring countryside and inex-haustible natural resources, they are actually fragile and can be damaged by constant human pressure. Should man or some of his activities therefore be banned? On the contrary, the interaction between man and nature is fun-damental for the maintenance and development of biodiversity. Some of the pressures resulting from

human activities should however be adjusted, in particular in fragile zones to fit in with the medium and long-term area management plans.

Particular attention is being paid to the NATURA 2000 zones, both by the three regions of Belgium and by the managers of private and public land under the control of the European Union. These sites

possess an environmental richness which is of community interest, be it specific ecosystems (or habitats) such as peat, wetlands, moors etc, or fragile fauna such as migratory birds or insects, mammals, inver-tebrates and amphibians. The 25 Union members including Belgium have a well-organised intercon-nected ecological network in order to protect these zones, because species know no borders. A true

The NATURA 2000 network is one of the tools for learning about and protecting biodiversity in the 3 regions of Belgium, and more widely in Europe. The zone management plans, currently being drawn up, are intended to maintain and even further develop their intrinsic qual-ity, while taking into account the different uses of the land. Leisure activities in these areas involving individuals or organized groups of young people, such as scouts, can encourage better understand-ing of environmental issues in the young generation and send out an enduring message to improve attitudes to biodiversity. This is an important challenge since the suc-cess of NATURA 2000 can halt the decline in biodiversity up to 2010 and beyond. NATURA 2000 high-lights the semi-natural heritage we enjoy, be it NATURA 2000 sites or more broadly the countryside where similar standards apply, which we must be in a position to pass on to future generations.

Belgium’s countryside possesses a high level of biodiversity and this is a treasure which everyone should be made aware of. If pro-fessionals manage these areas by including new environmental constraints based on scientific cri-teria, other users must also modify their behaviour so that NATURA 2000 is a success in Belgium. It is in this spirit that as a part of the information campaign on NATURA 2000 in Belgium, ELO organized

the European Country Fair for the public and schools from 22nd to 24th September 2006 in Hex, illus-trating the different rural activi-ties and their contribution to the Natura 2000 network as well as its future perspectives.

n Marie-Alice BUDNIOK

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patchwork of protected sites, the NATURA 2000 network which is the product of the Birds (1979) and Habitats (1992) Directives adopted by the member states, is intended to preserve environmental quality in every country of the Union for future generations and to assist in preventing the decline of biodiver-sity by 2010 and beyond.

Of course these zones are not the same as nature reserves and their different uses must remain even if certain adjustments may be required. Transforming them into leisure activity areas is possi-ble if the potential negative impact on the zone’s state of conserva-tion is negligible. If this is not the case, then these changes could be accepted by the authori-ties if in exchange an equivalent improvement is provided else-where, in order to guarantee a consistent whole (see guide to article 6 produced by the European Commission).

Just as socio-economic or even military activities must adjust to the new environmental man-agement constraints on these sites, the practice of low profile activities (horse-riding or cycling) or motor sports is likely to be modified in some way. In order to limit the potential impact on specially protected fauna and flora of community interest, some of the marked pony trekking routes could be moved to a more suitable

site. Some of the walks could even be restricted in certain seasons to reduce erosion, and the compact-ing of soil and specific vegetation, or in order to avoid harming spe-cies during reproduction or hiber-nation periods etc.

For the routes accessible to motor vehicles, certain limitations could be imposed in order to avoid any potential negative environ-mental impact; this is the subject of the current circular (Ministerial Circular n°2.679 Lutgen amending the decree of 16 February 1995). Adjustments could also be decid-ed on for existing or future horse and carriage circuits.

Clearly, from site-level analy-sis according to the management plan, general bans do not seem to be necessary, while adjustments to the activities can maintain or even improve the general quality of the state of conservation. These activities, whether they are motor-ized or lower-impact, generate improvements to the local socio-economic fabric and the mainte-nance of these areas according to the needs of these activities. Restricting them across the board by overshooting the demands of the Birds and Habitats Directives could be counter-productive. Although organizing these outdoor sports to suit the management plans being drawn up and the other local activities may be desir-

able, be they leisure or produc-tive activities, prior consultation with the interested parties and a case by case analysis must take place in order to channel the different human pressure on these zones. Agreements can be reached between the land manag-ers and user organizations, which are not just consumers but which can also contribute in part to the management effort.

The NATURA 2000 network is indeed one of the tools for learning about and protecting biodiversity in Belgium’s three regions, and more widely across Europe. The future management plans of the zones must allow maintenance or even development of their intrinsic qual-ity while taking into account the different uses. Carefully managed visits of these areas can allow bet-ter understanding of environmental issues and thus send out an endur-ing message to improve people’s attitudes towards biodiversity. This is an important challenge since the success of NATURA 2000 could halt the decline in biodiversity. NATURA 2000 highlights the herit-age we enjoy, be it NATURA 2000 sites or more broadly the country-side where similar standards apply, which we must be in a position to pass on to future generations in the best possible state – and this includes the quality of biodiversity. It is in this spirit that as part of the information campaign on NATURA 2000 in Belgium ELO organized the European Country Fair for the public and schools from 22 to 24 September 2006 in Hex, illustrat-ing the different rural activities and their contribution to the Natura 2000 network as well as its future perspectives.

n Marie-Alice BUDNIOK

Daniele BIANCHI The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP)All the CAP and nothing but the CAP! (Bruylant 2006).

Diary Dates 2007 31 January, BrusselsLecture on ‘Navigating the Water Framework Directive’ organized by the PIANC Institutehttp://www.pianc-aipcn.org/

29-31 January, BrusselsEuropean lecture on Renewable Energy, co-organised by EREC (the European Renewable Energy Council) and the German Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Energy.http://www.erec-renewables.org/events/2007PolicyConference/

1 February, European Parliament, BrusselsCulture – the cement of Europe, European culture in the training of adults: meeting organized by the European Cultural Centre with the support of the EC

12-14 February, BerlinTime to adapt – climate change and the European aquatic dimension – vulnerability, impact, adjustment,’ co-organised by the German Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Energy.http://www.climate-water-adaption-berlin2007.org/index.htm

Daniele BIANCHI is a European Commission official. He is currently a member of the cabinet of the Agriculture and Rural Development Commissioner Mrs FISCHER BOEL. He has worked in the legal unit of the Directorate General for Agriculture. In this capacity he was in charge of drafting the legal acts of the recent CAP reform in 2003 and of the draft common single market organisa-tion. He is the author of numerous publications on Community agricul-tural law.

In this book he explains the CAP in all of its details. Hundreds of agricul-tural acts and rulings of the Court of Justice are commented on and clas-sified in a complete and systematic framework, accompanied by refer-ences to doctrine. The work presents the whole of Community agricultural law, from the Treaties of Rome and Amsterdam and the draft constitu-tion, to the more recent derived law, from the first to the second pillar, the recent CAP reform of 2003 and the single payments scheme, the

Common Market Organisations and their future, quality policy, the World Trade Organisation and the burning topic of CAP funding. This work is intended to be consulted or studied in detail by anyone interested in law – students, lawyers, solicitors, officials and consultants, as well as being an information tool for the uninitiated who want to understand why the CAP has played and con-tinues to play, between reforms and crises, an important role amongst Community policies.

Preface:Almost fifty years have elapsed

since the Treaty of Rome, and the Common Agricultural Policy, one of the pillars of European integration, is still one of the most controversial poli-cies. The CAP is also coming under fire due to its cost and complexity. And at the same time its growing con-tribution to sustainable development, both social and environmental, in rural zones is being recognized. And in the future other similar developments are to be expected.

I have made simplification one of the leitmotivs of my mandate. Clear, precise, transparent and simple leg-islation must be the rule of every legislator and politician. This is a

duty to our citizens, who are the ben-eficiaries and users of Community legislation. This book contributes to this end: it explains the complexity of agricultural law, it classifies leg-islation, which is vast and at times contradictory, and comments on it through the case law of the Court of Justice, the majority of which is agricultural. It establishes a truly practical manual of Community agri-cultural law, always in simple, clear language. It is enhanced by a vast bibliography and an almost exhaus-tive list of references to case law and legislation. It provides an accessible instrument not just for the initiate but also to a wider public interested in understanding the CAP and its development.

For example it is worth in particu-lar highlighting the explanation of the recent CAP reform of 2003 with all the complexities demanded by the Member States (partial decoupling, recoupling etc). In the way the author describes the CAP’s development I can clearly identify the signs of an agricultural policy which can meet the demands of modern society and the challenges of the economy and world trade. It presents a CAP which serves as a model, example and laboratory of the European Union’s new policies.

n Marianne FISCHER BOELCommissioner for agriculture

and rural development.