Annual meeting
The Standing Committee of the Bern Convention (Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats) meets once a year to monitor the implementation of the guidelines of the Convention itself. Delegations of the contracting parties, including the European Union, observer States, representatives of governmental and non-governmental organizations, as well as independent experts, may participate in the meetings. This year the meeting took place from 2 to 6 December and for the ANUU Migratoristi (member Association of FACE Italy), always active and which follows these specific European meetings, Ferdinando Ranzanici participated, who constantly monitors the activities that take place at the Council of Europe. The topic that mainly characterized this session was the proposed modification of the downgrading of the wolf (Canis lupus) from Appendix II (Strictly Protected) to Appendix III (Protected) indicated by the European Union.
Who supported the amendment?
At the request of the EU representative, the Contracting Parties were asked to vote. The EU on behalf of its 27 Member States and Andorra, Armenia, Georgia, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Moldova, Norway, North Macedonia, Serbia, Switzerland and Ukraine supported the amendment. Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Monaco, Montenegro and the United Kingdom opposed the amendment, while Tunisia and Turkey abstained. With a majority of 38 votes in favour, the required two-thirds majority of the Contracting Parties was reached and the proposed amendment was adopted. This amendment will enter into force three months after the date of formal adoption of the amendment, counted from 6 December 2024, unless at least one third of the Parties to the Berne Convention of the Council of Europe (17) object, in which case it will not enter into force. If less than one third of the Parties object, the decision will enter into force only for the Parties that have not objected. It is specified that, despite the modification of the protection status of the wolf, the provisions of the Bern Convention continue to apply and must be respected, the wolf populations must be maintained or brought to a level that corresponds to that required by the Contracting Parties, continuing to report every two years the exceptions that can be created for the conservation of the wolf.
State of protection
The Standing Committee also asked the Group of Experts on Large Carnivores to closely monitor the wolf population, in close cooperation with the Large Carnivore Initiative for Europe. A Working Group is therefore being established to explore the mechanisms needed to guide evidence-based amendments to the Bern Convention to grant or change the protected status of a species. The Standing Committee also welcomed the importance of progress in combating the illegal killing, capture and trade of wild birds (IKB) which allows national governments to adapt their policies and practices to ensure the overall goal of eradicating IKB is achieved. It also noted the planned thematic scope of the meeting of the Group of Experts on the Conservation of Wild Birds, including reducing the negative impact of power lines and wind turbines on birds. Other topics addressed, such as monitoring the conservation status of species and habitats, control and eradication of invasive alien species, bird conservation, the role of biodiversity and climate change, have always been discussed between the contracting parties. The progress of the Strategic Plan to orient the nature conservation objectives towards 2030 assessed by the working group was also assessed.
Objectives and strategies
Greater participation of the parties in the activities of this plan is requested, considering the first progress already made. We also recall the Strategic Plan, its objectives and strategies defined in 2021 by the Vision Committee for the Berne Convention up to 2030 and its 4 main objectives, namely:
the importance and valorisation of the territory and its connectivity, the integrity and resilience of the natural and semi-natural heritage with the aim of increasing ecosystems;
commit to improving the conservation status of endangered species and their increase. Particular attention has been given to native species that are increasing and whose reduction or extinction due to human presence has been contained or stopped;
focus on maintaining and enhancing wildlife and their natural habitats in a safe, healthy and sustainable manner;
have sufficient resources that are used efficiently in order to effectively and timely achieve all the objectives set out in the Plan.