THE SLOVAK cabinet approved a draft revision to the law on protection of nature on December 16 through which the Environment Ministry seeks to avoid a complaint being filed against Slovakia at the Court of Justice of the European Communities, the SITA newswire wrote.
According to the ministry, Slovakia might face such a complaint if does not adopt a legal norm reflecting objections raised by the European Commission regarding incorrect or incomplete transposition of European regulations about biotopes and birds into Slovakia’s legislation.
According to the new legislation, a locality in Slovakia with priority biotopes or priority species of European importance should be put on the national list of areas of European importance, Natura 2000, even if such a listing is somewhat questionable. Such a locality would remain on the list until any questions regarding the listing are resolved, securing preliminary protection of the area.
The revision is planned to be effective as of May 2010.