Fragmentation of the ‘Sierras Bermeja y Real’ Special Area of Conservation. Failure to comply with the Habitats Directive by excluding the ‘Los Reales de Sierra Bermeja’ natural area

25.1.2017

Question for written answer E-000407-17
to the Commission
Rule 130
Marina Albiol Guzmán (GUE/NGL)

Environmental organisations are warning that the Government of Andalucía intends to break up Special Area of Conservation (SAC) ES6170010 (‘Sierras Bermeja y Real’), leaving two-thirds of the western part of the SAC, including part of the Sierra Palmitera and the main body of the Sierra Bermeja, outside a future national park.

In this excluded part is the natural area known as ‘Los Reales de Sierra Bermeja’, which is the site of the world’s only Abies pinsapo forest and is considered a special conservation habitat under Directive 92/43/EEC.

This fragmentation would, moreover, entail differentiating ecosystem processes, management, conservation and use between the two separated parts, including species listed in Annex II of the Habitats Directive.

1. Does the Commission intend to contact the competent authorities to investigate the possible non-compliance with the directive and the obligation to protect this natural area from fragmentation?

2. Does the Commission not agree that the SAC should be included in its entirety in the proposed national park, with special protection measures to safeguard ecosystems?