Protection of the Rila Important Bird Area (Bulgaria)

13.7.2018

Question for written answer E-003919-18
to the Commission
Rule 130
Svetoslav Hristov Malinov (PPE)

In its reply to my Written Question E-001446-18 concerning the designation of Natura 2000 sites in the Rila mountains (Bulgaria), the Commission stated that the same territories are identified as an Important Bird Area, which would justify their designation as a Special Protection Area (SPA) under Directive 2009/147/EC (the Birds Directive). As Bulgaria did not proceed with that designation, the Commission referred the case to the Court of Justice of the European Union.

The CJEU decided (Case C 97/17) that, by failing to include the entire Important Bird Area in the Rila mountains as a Special Protection Area, Bulgaria did not classify as SPAs the most suitable territories in number and size for the conservation of the species listed in Annex I to Directive 2009/147/EC, and therefore failed to fulfil its obligations under Article 4(1) of that directive.

Bulgarian citizens’ organisations are now worried about a possible new delay in the designation of the sites due to a new study initiated by the Ministry of the Environment.

What immediate actions will the Commission take in order to ensure that the CJEU decision will be complied with by the Bulgarian state as soon as possible?