Sheep & Wolf to join forces? BirdLife International and FACE
(the Federation of Associations for Hunting and Conservation of
the EU) have signed a historic agreement recognising that the
conservation of bird species and their habitats is a common
objective. Both organisations agree that the Birds Directive is
the appropriate instrument for bird conservation in the European
Union, and undertake not to attempt to change it. Both recognise
the importance of the Natura 2000 network, which includes all
the Special Protection Areas for birds required under the Birds
Directive. They also agree to cooperate in promoting strategic
conservation priorities, such as halting biodiversity decline by
2010, protecting sites, and reforming the Common Agricultural
Policy. The Agreement, signed on 12 October by Mike Rands,
Director and Chief Executive of BirdLife International and
Gilbert de Turckheim, President of FACE, was welcomed and
countersigned by Mrs Margot Wallstr?m, Commissioner for the
Environment. Progress towards t