Felling of the remainder of Hambach Forest

3.10.2018

Question for written answer P-005047-18
to the Commission
Rule 130
Anja Hazekamp (GUE/NGL) , Cornelia Ernst (GUE/NGL) , Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) , Stefan Eck (GUE/NGL) , Martin Häusling (Verts/ALE) , Terry Reintke (Verts/ALE) , Sven Giegold (Verts/ALE)

The planned clearing of the last remaining part of Hambach Forest in Germany has led to major concerns among citizens and conservationists. The energy company RWE is about to cut down the remaining forest to mine lignite, a highly polluting energy fuel.

A number of animal species living in Hambach Forest are listed in Annex IV(a) of the Habitats Directive or in Annex I of the Birds Directive as species under strict protection[1].

1. Does the Commission agree that a strict protection system must be applied across the entire natural range of these species, both within and outside Natura 2000 sites? Large parts of Hambach Forest have already been destroyed and the populations of protected species in this area are therefore subject to a high degree of isolation. Nevertheless, Germany has taken no action to protect Hambach Forest.

2. Can the Commission explain whether it has already initiated a bilateral consultation procedure in the light of Germany’s failure to flag a site that is host to a priority natural habitat type and priority species, and if not, why not?

3. Can it guarantee that the Birds Directive and the Habitats Directive are being applied correctly in this case? If not, can the Commission urge Germany to prevent any irreversible steps?

• [1] https://hambachforest.org/squat/background/the-forest/endangered-species/