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 to the Bern Convention. COMMUNITY MEASURE: Council Decision 746/98/EC concerning the approval, on behalf of the Community, of amendments to Appendices II and III to the Bern Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats adopted at the 17th Meeting of the Convention Standing Committee. CONTENTS: 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 appendices to the Convention. The Community supported the inclusion of 4 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 3 months after their adoption by the Standing Committee. This decision is intended to incorporate these amendments so that they are applicable to the Community. ENTRY INTO FORCE: 21 December 1998.�