Activities of Sandrine BÉLIER related to 2009/2108(INI)
Plenary speeches (1)
EU legislation aiming at the conservation of biodiversity (debate)
Amendments (58)
Amendment 1 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Urges the European Commission to publish the Communication it has announced on future financing of the Natura 2000 as soon as possible and in any event during year 2010 so that this aspect can be examined together with the new biodiversity strategy until 2020;
Amendment 3 #
Motion for a resolution
Visa 17 a (new)
Visa 17 a (new)
17 a - having regard to EEA Report No 4/2009 “Progress towards the European 2010 biodiversity target” in particular the annex “SEBI 2010 Biodiversity indicator”
Amendment 4 #
Motion for a resolution
Visa 17 b (new)
Visa 17 b (new)
17 b - having regard to the Commission Guidance document “Guidelines for the establishment of the Natura 2000 network in the marine environment. Implementation of the Habitats and Birds Directives” (May, 2007)
Amendment 4 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Urges the Committee on the Environment Committee to take note of the findings of independent experts in research conducted into the application of the Habitats Directive, at the request of the Petitions Committee, notably as regards the lack of compensatory measures, the lack of verification ofa lack of assessment of alternatives to and cumulative effects of projects as well as inadequate site management and, when compensatory measures are decided upon, the failure to verify such measures and the fact that they are, if carried out at all, often carried out too late; if at all, as well as the other proposals and recommendations contained in this report;
Amendment 5 #
Motion for a resolution
Visa 17 c (new)
Visa 17 c (new)
17 c having regard to COM(2010) 4 final “THE EUROPEAN UNION’S BIODIVERSITY ACTION PLAN Halting the loss of biodiversity by 2010 – and beyond
Amendment 6 #
Motion for a resolution
Visa 17 d (new)
Visa 17 d (new)
17 d - having regard to the EU 2020 strategy
Amendment 6 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Calls for a serious impact assessment to be made of existing environmental legislation, starting witheffort to integrate biodiversity in all relevant fields of the UEs policies, notably in the context of the reform of the common fisheries policy, the common agriculture policy and the new financial perspectives of the EU; considers that the EIA, SEIA, Habitats and the Birds Directive, ans need new tougher guidelines to be proposed to ensure the correct implementation of these Ddirectives based on recommendations from Parliament'’s own competent committee with which the petitions CommitteeCommittee on Petitions will readily work to ensure that citizens'’ concerns are better reflected in tomorrow'’s environmental action;
Amendment 7 #
Motion for a resolution
Visa 17 e (new)
Visa 17 e (new)
17 e - having regard to the third United Nations Global Biodiversity Outlook
Amendment 8 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas it has become clear from the Commission's Communications that the EU willhas not meet its 2010 biodiversity target,
Amendment 15 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas several factors have prevented the EU from achieving its 2010 target, such as incomplete implementation of legislation, incomplete and poor integration into sectoral policies, insufficient scientific knowledge and data gaps, lack of political will, insufficient funding, lack of additional efficiently- targeted instruments to tackle specific problems such as invasive alien species,
Amendment 19 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas a recent study by Eurobarometer shows that EU citizens are largely unfamiliar with the term biodiversity and the consequences of the loss of biodiversitymore than 8 in 10 EU citizens (84%-93%) felt that biodiversity loss was a very or fairly serious problem at national, European and global levels,
Amendment 21 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)
Recital F a (new)
F a. G. whereas the precautionary principle constitutes a legal basis to be applied in all legislation and decisions affecting biodiversity.
Amendment 22 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Expresses itsIs deeply concerned about the very fast pace of human-induced biodiversity loss which, if it continues as in the last decades, will leave us with a greatly impoverished nature by 2050and irreversibly damaged nature by 2050; and underlines that functioning ecosystems are a prerequisite for our subsistence;
Amendment 23 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Highlights the fact biodiversity is the most important indicator of good environmental status
Amendment 24 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Is aware that failure to stop biodiversity loss is unacceptable not only from an ethical but also from an ecological and economic perspective, as it deprives future generations of the ecosystem services and welfare aspects of a rich, natural biodiversity; calls therefore on the Commission and the Member States to improve biodiversity governance and compliance in internal as well as in external relations
Amendment 31 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Recognises that NGOs have important role to play in biodiversity protection, as regards contributing to decision-making process, as actors on the ground, and in raising the public awareness;
Amendment 32 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Stresses the importance of integrated environmental accounting to analyse the link between the environment and the economy at European, national and regional level to assess the effects of production and consumption patterns on the natural resources and calls on the member state to continually provide Eurostat and the European Environment Agency with the necessary data
Amendment 34 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Is deeply concerned about the absence of sense of urgency of halting the loss of biodiversity on the international political agenda
Amendment 36 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Expresses itsDeeply regrets that the EU's objective, as agreed to at the European Summit in Gothenburg in 2001, to halt biodiversity loss by 2010 has not been met;
Amendment 37 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. emphasizes the importance of implementing the precautionary principle on nature related to biodiversity in line with the decisions of the Court of Justice.
Amendment 39 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Welcomes furthermore the conclusions on biodiversity of the March 15 Environment Council, including the new headline target of halting the loss of biodiversity and the degradation of ecosystem services in the EU by 2020 and restoring them in so far as feasible and the European Council Conclusions of 25-26 March 2010 confirming the urgent need to reverse continuing trends of biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation; stresses that binding targets are of outmost importance to prevent that targets are not met in 2020;
Amendment 44 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Believes that halting biodiversity lossthis new target constitutes the absolute minimum level of ambition to be realised by 2020;
Amendment 45 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Points to the valuable initiatives aimed at restoring biodiversity and ecosystem services already taking place and believes that such restoration activities couldmust also be part of the 2020 headline target; underlines, however, the need for a thorough impact assessment and suitability study before deciding on the precise targets of the future EU biodiversity strategof the negative impacts on biodiversity regarding different sectors of economy;
Amendment 49 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Given the global character of biodiversity and ecosystems, is convinced that the future EU strategy shouldmust also step up international efforts to avert biodiversity loss; as studies such as TEEB have delivered sufficient evidence that doing this is cost effective and feasible;
Amendment 53 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Underlines furthermore that, as a part of a policy aimed at protecting and improving biodiversity, a coordinated strategycommon EU policies to tackle the problems of invasive alien species isand soil degradation are necessary;
Amendment 57 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Recognises that a correct and full implementation of Natura 2000 legislation plays a major role in achieving the EU's biodiversity objective;
Amendment 59 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Remains concerned, regardless of tangible and positive results in the conservation status of several species, about the implementation of Natura 2000 legislation; draws attention to the many petitions received in this subject notably concerning proposals for the construction of a bridge at Mardie (France) in a zone noted for the presence of several endangered species, about the impact of extensive urbanisation in Spain and on a Mediterranean coastal region and the impact of a Baltic Sea Gas Pipeline on the fragile ecosystem of the Baltic Region.
Amendment 61 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Remains concerned, regardless of tangible and positive results in the conservation status of several species, about the poor implementation of Natura 2000 legislation;
Amendment 63 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Welcomes the progress made in some Member States in the designation of Natura 2000 sites andfact that the Natura 2000 network represents 18% of the EU territory (on land) and the early progress made in the formulation of conservation measures or management plans; calls on allis dismayed at the failure of Member States to respect the deadlines laid down in the Directive; and therefore urges Member States to take prompt action to achieve full implementation of the Birds and Habitats Directives
Amendment 64 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Expresses its concern about the lack of progress in the establishment of the Natura 2000 network in the marine environment and asks the Commission and member states to speed up the necessary procedures;
Amendment 65 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14 a. Recalls that the establishment of a coherent NATURA 2000, requires the maintenance of those features of the landscape which are of major importance for wild flora and fauna; calls therefore on the Commission and Member States to actively engage in maintaining and developing the connectivity of protected areas, whether terrestrial or marine, as well as agricultural areas of high nature value.
Amendment 71 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Welcomes, in principle, an inevitablIs concerned that the degree of flexibility in EU environmental legislation in order to adapt implementation to local circumstances; observes, at the same time, somcan lead to abuses by Member States when implementing it; regrets the striking differences between Member States regarding, for example, the "‘external effect"’ of Natura 2000 sites, block exemptions for certain "‘existing activities"’ or the application of the precautionary principle;
Amendment 76 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Given these differences between Member States, invites the Commission to provide further clarificationtake prompt action to ensure the enforcement of the Directives or to provide guidance where necessary;
Amendment 79 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Furthermore expresses its concern about the lack of cross-border cooperation, which can lead to identical areas being approached differently;Believes that better cross-border cooperation could have significant benefits to meeting the Natura 2000 objectives
Amendment 80 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Urges the Commission to focus more on ecosystem services, and in particular on the resilience of ecosystems to perform under stress, in its future biodiversity strategy and within the context of Natura 2000 in its future biodiversity strategy and within the context of Natura 2000 while at the same time building on and strengthening efforts to achieve favourable conservation status for species and their habitats;
Amendment 86 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Is convinced that the Natura 2000 land and marine network is not the only EU instrument for biodiversity conservation, but that a more integralholistic approach is needed for the EU biodiversity policy to be successful;
Amendment 88 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19 a. Calls on the Commission take action to establish cross-compliance criteria of current law, decisions and the protection of biodiversity.
Amendment 89 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 b (new)
Paragraph 19 b (new)
19 b. Calls on the Commission to safeguard European biodiversity with regard to the release of genetically modified organisms in the natural environment
Amendment 93 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Therefore, calls on the Commission to ensure a further mainstreaming of biodiversity into other EU policy areas – such as industry, agriculture, forestry, fisheries, regional policy and cohesion, transport, tourism, research and innovation – in a mutually reinforcing way; furthermore, calls for measures to ensure that EU funding does not contribute to negative biodiversity impacts;
Amendment 100 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Welcomes the previous attempts to integrate environmental considerations into the common agricultural policy (CAP), such as the introduction of agri- environment measures and good agriculture and environmental conditions, and calls on the Commission to use the reform of the CAP as an opportunity to further enhance this trendconcludes however that this has not gone far enough and many of today's agricultural practices continue to be a driver for biodiversity loss, therefore calls on the Commission to use the reform of the CAP as an opportunity to change the CAP into a policy that rewards the delivery of well defined public goods and to make sure that only sustainable ways of farming are funded in the future, for example through the introduction of compensation for eco-services or the provision of public goods, including sustainable farming in ecologically sewhereby the benefits for nature must constitive areas, such as Natura 2000 sites; ute the guiding principle;
Amendment 107 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21 a. Taking into account the economic, social and environmental value of agricultural and livestock genetic diversity, urges the Commission to define specific priority targets to halt the loss of genetic diversity and halt the loss of native species; calls further for the adoption of a definition of "native" / "non-native” breeds and measures for their conservation.
Amendment 110 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Welcomes the reform of the common fisheries policy currently being prepared and calls on the Commission to mainstream biodiversity criteria in its future legislative proposals; furthermore,insists that aquaculture activities need to be developed without impacting other species and in compliance with targets set under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, Water Framework Directive, and Birds and Habitats Directives; furthermore calls for the Commission to require that fisheries management plans ensure prompt recovery and maintenance of marine biodiversity and insists that, as a possible alternative to fishing, sustainable aquaculture models shouldand future aquaculture legislative framework be developed along the lines proposed by the Commission in its Communication (COM(2009)162) and taking into account the European Parliament's position (*);
Amendment 113 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22 a. Given the significant decline in aquatic biodiversity and degradation of freshwater ecosystems, emphasises the importance of ensuring the full implementation of the Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC) and stresses the need to address biodiversity decline in river basin management planning;
Amendment 117 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23 a. Welcomes the Commission's communication 2008/645 on addressing the challenges of deforestation and forest degradation to tackle climate change and biodiversity loss, which calls for halting the global forest cover loss by 2030 at the latest;
Amendment 118 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 b (new)
Paragraph 23 b (new)
23 b. In this context expresses its deep concern over the Commission’s decision not to propose legally binding criteria for the sustainable use of bioenergy as this is likely to pose a direct threat to forest biodiversity as well as efforts to tackle climate change, urges the Commission to review this decision and to propose legally binding criteria and measures;
Amendment 119 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23 a. Stresses the need for further action in the field of Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) and Maritime Spatial Planning as these could be important elements of a participatory ecosystem approach, ensuring the conservation and sustainable management of marine and coastal resources, respecting natural processes and ecosystem carrying capacity.
Amendment 124 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)
Paragraph 24 a (new)
24 a. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to use the preparatory phase of the development of the 7th Environment Action Programme to advance and promote the debate as well as specific actions on biodiversity in the EU
Amendment 130 #
Motion for a resolution
Subh. 6
Subh. 6
Amendment 132 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Furthermore, strongly believes that sustainable economic development and nature conservation can and should go hand in handnature conservation is a necessary prerequisite for future economic growth;
Amendment 137 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 a (new)
Paragraph 28 a (new)
28 a. Calls on the Commission to act with the highest level of ambition for the restoration of biodiversity and natural ecosystems within the broader EU environment; stresses further that restoration efforts could form a significant source of employment for the communities;
Amendment 139 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Takes note of the Commission'’s estimates that full implementation ofin 2004 for the annual cost of managing the Natura 2000 legislation is expected to cost EUR 6.1 billionnetwork at EUR 6.1 billion; points out however, that according to the TEEB report, the return on biodiversity conservation investment is up to hundred times more;
Amendment 140 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 a (new)
Paragraph 29 a (new)
29 a. Reiterates the need to foresee dedicated funding for community co- financing of Natura 2000 management in the next financial perspective 2014-2020;
Amendment 153 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32 a (new)
Paragraph 32 a (new)
32 a. Welcomes the recommendation made by IUCN for 0,3% of GDP to be spent on national biodiversity conservation measures;
Amendment 163 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34
Paragraph 34
34. Furthermore, underlines the need to incorporate external costs and risks, such as the damage done to biodiversity or the costs incurred to support biodiversity, into the final price of products on the market; especially as this is in long term own interest of companies if they want to keep access to natural resources
Amendment 169 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36
Paragraph 36
36. Stresses the need to develop a clear baseline, on the basis of which the Commission is to set realistic and evidence-based (sub-)targetsmeasure progress towards the (sub-)targets; welcomes in this context biodiversity baseline developed by the European Environmental Agency;
Amendment 180 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39
Paragraph 39
39. Welcomes the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity in Nagoya in October 2010 and urges the EU to send a broad delegation to this conference;well prepared and coordinated to this conference; underlines the necessity for the EU to define a strong and coherent position upstream
Amendment 189 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40 a (new)
Paragraph 40 a (new)
40 a. Calls on the Commission and Member States to support the mainstreaming of biodiversity into global processes such as the Millennium Development Goals
Amendment 194 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43 a (new)
Paragraph 43 a (new)
43 a. Supports the creation of an International Scientific Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES);