EU member states are considering whether to relax wildlife protection rules to make it easier to build industrial projects, even where construction could lead to the killing or disturbance of protected species, according to Politico.
The discussion comes as the European Parliament and EU governments shape their positions on a European Commission proposal published in December, aimed at accelerating environmental assessments for projects ranging from renewable energy and electricity grids to data centres and artificial intelligence factories. European industry has argued that strict environmental rules are slowing expansion and undermining competitiveness.
The proposal would also redefine what counts as “deliberate” killing under the EU’s Birds and Habitats Directives, the bloc’s core nature protection laws. These rules currently prohibit the deliberate killing or disturbance of protected species, except in specific cases such as protecting public health and safety or preventing serious damage to crops, livestock, forests, fisheries and water.
Under the Commission’s permitting proposal, the incidental killing or disturbance of protected species during the construction, operation or decommissioning of a project would not be considered deliberate, provided project developers take “appropriate and proportionate mitigation measures”.
Cyprus, which currently holds the presidency of the Council of the EU, has suggested going further, according to a 5 May document seen by Politico. The Cypriot proposal would amend the Birds and Habitats Directives to allow governments to authorise the deliberate killing or disturbance of birds resulting from the implementation of plans or from the construction, operation or decommissioning of projects, provided appropriate and proportionate mitigation measures are taken, based on the best available techniques.
The document argues that the directives should be amended to “ensure legal certainty” while maintaining a high level of species protection. EU officials are expected to discuss the proposal on Monday in the Council’s Antici group on simplification, which coordinates work on reducing bureaucracy in existing EU legislation.
Source: Politico
