Strategic issues - European union

Joanne Sellick reflects on strategic issues concerning biodiversity policy related to European Union (EU). The EU has a commitment to stop biodiversity damage in EU countries by 2010 with a Biodiversity Action Plan including over 150 actions. The Commission organized the conference 'Biodiversity Protection Beyond 2010: Priorities and Options for Future EU Policy Beyond 2010: Priorities and Options for Future EU Policy, in Athens in April 2009.' The plan stipulates that protected areas represent the foundation of biodiversity conservation and that since their effectiveness has been scientifically proven EU institutions and Member States should complete the network, including the marine component. The overall quality of coastal bathing waters improved in 2008, with 96.3% of coastal bathing waters conforming to the mandatory values, an increase of 1.1% compared to 2007. The EU report for 2008 classified bathing waters by region with reference to river basins.