Bern Convention, conservation of wildlife and natural habitats, amend. appendices II and III (dec. 82/72/EEC)

OBJECTIVE: to approve on behalf of the Community the amendments made to the Bern Convention. SUBSTANCE: The Community has been a party to the Convention on the conservation of European wildlife and natural habitats (Bern Convention) since December 1981. At the 17th meeting of the Bern Convention Standing Committee (1 to 5 December 1997 in Strasbourg) new species were included in the annexes to the Convention. The Community supported the inclusion of four species in Appendix II (strictly protected fauna species) and 22 species in Appendix III (protected fauna species). As a contracting party the Community is required to approve these amendments as, in accordance with Article 17 of the Convention, the amendments are applicable to all parties three months after their adoption by the Standing Committee. This proposal for a decision is intended to incorporate these amendments so that they are applicable to the Community. �