Directive 2009/147/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 November 2009 on the conservation of wild birds (Codified version)
Directive 2009/147/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 November 2009 on the conservation of wild birds (Codified version)
Directive 2009/147/EC · Directive · 27 articles
Data as of 2026-07-04 · Compiled from an official source version. Later amendments or repeals may not be reflected; the official text prevails. · Read the official text ↗
1. This Directive relates to the conservation of all species of naturally occurring birds in the wild state in the European territory of the Member States to which the Treaty applies. It covers the protection, management and control of these species and lays down rules for their exploitation.
2. It shall apply to birds, their eggs, nests and habitats.
Member States shall take the requisite measures to maintain the population of the species referred to in Article 1 at a level which corresponds in particular to ecological, scientific and cultural requirements, while taking account of economic and recreational requirements, or to adapt the population of these species to that level.
1. In the light of the requirements referred to in Article 2, Member States shall take the requisite measures to preserve, maintain or re-establish a sufficient diversity and area of habitats for all the species of birds referred to in Article 1.
2. The preservation, maintenance and re-establishment of biotopes and habitats shall include primarily the following measures:
(a)
creation of protected areas;
(b)
upkeep and management in accordance with the ecological needs of habitats inside and outside the protected zones;
(c)
re-establishment of destroyed biotopes;
(d)
creation of biotopes.
1. The species mentioned in Annex I shall be the subject of special conservation measures concerning their habitat in order to ensure their survival and reproduction in their area of distribution.
In this connection, account shall be taken of:
(a)
species in danger of extinction;
(b)
species vulnerable to specific changes in their habitat;
(c)
species considered rare because of small populations or restricted local distribution;
(d)
other species requiring particular attention for reasons of the specific nature of their habitat.
Trends and variations in population levels shall be taken into account as a background for evaluations.
Member States shall classify in particular the most suitable territories in number and size as special protection areas for the conservation of these species in the geographical sea and land area where this Directive applies.
2. Member States shall take similar measures for regularly occurring migratory species not listed in Annex I, bearing in mind their need for protection in the geographical sea and land area where this Directive applies, as regards their breeding, moulting and wintering areas and staging posts along their migration routes. To this end, Member States shall pay particular attention to the protection of wetlands and particularly to wetlands of international importance.
3. Member States shall send the Commission all relevant information so that it may take appropriate initiatives with a view to the coordination necessary to ensure that the areas provided for in paragraphs 1 and 2 form a coherent whole which meets the protection requirements of these species in the geographical sea and land area where this Directive applies.
4. In respect of the protection areas referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2, Member States shall take appropriate steps to avoid pollution or deterioration of habitats or any disturbances affecting the birds, in so far as these would be significant having regard to the objectives of this Article. Outside these protection areas, Member States shall also strive to avoid pollution or deterioration of habitats.
Without prejudice to Articles 7 and 9, Member States shall take the requisite measures to establish a general system of protection for all species of birds referred to in Article 1, prohibiting in particular:
(a)
deliberate killing or capture by any method;
(b)
deliberate destruction of, or damage to, their nests and eggs or removal of their nests;
(c)
taking their eggs in the wild and keeping these eggs even if empty;
(d)
deliberate disturbance of these birds particularly during the period of breeding and rearing, in so far as disturbance would be significant having regard to the objectives of this Directive;
(e)
keeping birds of species the hunting and capture of which is prohibited.
1. Without prejudice to paragraphs 2 and 3, Member States shall prohibit, for all the bird species referred to in Article 1, the sale, transport for sale, keeping for sale and the offering for sale of live or dead birds and of any readily recognisable parts or derivatives of such birds.
2. The activities referred to in paragraph 1 shall not be prohibited in respect of the species referred to in Annex III, Part A, provided that the birds have been legally killed or captured or otherwise legally acquired.
3. Member States may, for the species listed in Annex III, Part B, allow within their territory the activities referred to in paragraph 1, making provision for certain restrictions, provided that the birds have been legally killed or captured or otherwise legally acquired.
Member States wishing to grant such authorisation shall first of all consult the Commission with a view to examining jointly with the latter whether the marketing of specimens of such species would result or could reasonably be expected to result in the population levels, geographical distribution or reproductive rate of the species being endangered throughout the Community. Should this examination prove that the intended authorisation will, in the view of the Commission, result in any one of the aforementioned species being thus endangered or in the possibility of their being thus endangered, the Commission shall forward a reasoned recommendation to the Member State concerned stating its opposition to the marketing of the species in question. Should the Commission consider that no such risk exists, it shall inform the Member State concerned accordingly.
The Commission’s recommendation shall be published in the Official Journal of the European Union .
Member States granting authorisation pursuant to this paragraph shall verify at regular intervals that the conditions governing the granting of such authorisation continue to be fulfilled.
1. Owing to their population level, geographical distribution and reproductive rate throughout the Community, the species listed in Annex II may be hunted under national legislation. Member States shall ensure that the hunting of these species does not jeopardise conservation efforts in their distribution area.
2. The species referred to in Annex II, Part A may be hunted in the geographical sea and land area where this Directive applies.
3. The species referred to in Annex II, Part B may be hunted only in the Member States in respect of which they are indicated.
4. Member States shall ensure that the practice of hunting, including falconry if practised, as carried on in accordance with the national measures in force, complies with the principles of wise use and ecologically balanced control of the species of birds concerned and that this practice is compatible as regards the population of these species, in particular migratory species, with the measures resulting from Article 2.
They shall see in particular that the species to which hunting laws apply are not hunted during the rearing season or during the various stages of reproduction.
In the case of migratory species, they shall see in particular that the species to which hunting regulations apply are not hunted during their period of reproduction or during their return to their rearing grounds.
Member States shall send the Commission all relevant information on the practical application of their hunting regulations.
1. In respect of the hunting, capture or killing of birds under this Directive, Member States shall prohibit the use of all means, arrangements or methods used for the large-scale or non-selective capture or killing of birds or capable of causing the local disappearance of a species, in particular the use of those listed in Annex IV, point (a).
2. Moreover, Member States shall prohibit any hunting from the modes of transport and under the conditions mentioned in Annex IV, point (b).
1. Member States may derogate from the provisions of Articles 5 to 8, where there is no other satisfactory solution, for the following reasons:
(a)
—
in the interests of public health and safety,
—
in the interests of air safety,
—
to prevent serious damage to crops, livestock, forests, fisheries and water,
—
for the protection of flora and fauna;
(b)
for the purposes of research and teaching, of re-population, of re-introduction and for the breeding necessary for these purposes;
(c)
to permit, under strictly supervised conditions and on a selective basis, the capture, keeping or other judicious use of certain birds in small numbers.
2. The derogations referred to in paragraph 1 must specify:
(a)
the species which are subject to the derogations;
(b)
the means, arrangements or methods authorised for capture or killing;
(c)
the conditions of risk and the circumstances of time and place under which such derogations may be granted;
(d)
the authority empowered to declare that the required conditions obtain and to decide what means, arrangements or methods may be used, within what limits and by whom;
(e)
the controls which will be carried out.
3. Each year the Member States shall send a report to the Commission on the implementation of paragraphs 1 and 2.
4. On the basis of the information available to it, and in particular the information communicated to it pursuant to paragraph 3, the Commission shall at all times ensure that the consequences of the derogations referred to in paragraph 1 are not incompatible with this Directive. It shall take appropriate steps to this end.
1. Member States shall encourage research and any work required as a basis for the protection, management and use of the population of all species of bird referred to in Article 1. Particular attention shall be paid to research and work on the subjects listed in Annex V.
2. Member States shall send the Commission any information required to enable it to take appropriate measures for the coordination of the research and work referred to in paragraph 1.
Member States shall see that any introduction of species of bird which do not occur naturally in the wild state in the European territory of the Member States does not prejudice the local flora and fauna. In this connection they shall consult the Commission.
1. Member States shall forward to the Commission every three years, starting from 7 April 1981, a report on the implementation of national provisions taken under this Directive.
2. The Commission shall prepare every three years a composite report based on the information referred to in paragraph 1. That part of the draft report covering the information supplied by a Member State shall be forwarded to the authorities of the Member State in question for verification. The final version of the report shall be forwarded to the Member States.
Application of the measures taken pursuant to this Directive may not lead to deterioration in the present situation as regards the conservation of the species of birds referred to in Article 1.
Such amendments as are necessary for adapting Annexes I and V to technical and scientific progress shall be adopted. Those measures, designed to amend non-essential elements of this Directive, shall be adopted in accordance with the regulatory procedure with scrutiny referred to in Article 16(2).
1. The Commission shall be assisted by the Committee for Adaptation to Technical and Scientific Progress.
2. Where reference is made to this paragraph, Article 5a(1) to (4) and Article 7 of Decision 1999/468/EC shall apply, having regard to the provisions of Article 8 thereof.
Member States shall communicate to the Commission the texts of the main provisions of national law which they adopt in the field governed by this Directive.
Directive 79/409/EEC, as amended by the acts listed in Annex VI, Part A, is repealed, without prejudice to the obligations of the Member States relating to the time limits for transposition into national law of the Directives set out in Annex VI, Part B.
References to the repealed Directive shall be construed as references to this Directive and shall be read in accordance with the correlation table in Annex VII.
ANNEX IV
(a)
—
Snares (with the exception of Finland and Sweden for the capture of Lagopus lagopus lagopus and Lagopus mutus north of latitude 58° N), limes, hooks, live birds which are blind or mutilated used as decoys, tape recorders, electrocuting devices,
—
artificial light sources, mirrors, devices for illuminating targets, sighting devices for night shooting comprising an electronic image magnifier or image converter,
—
explosives,
—
nets, traps, poisoned or anaesthetic bait,
—
semi-automatic or automatic weapons with a magazine capable of holding more than two rounds of ammunition;
(b)
—
aircraft, motor vehicles,
—
boats driven at a speed exceeding five kilometres per hour. On the open sea, Member States may, for safety reasons, authorise the use of motor-boats with a maximum speed of 18 kilometres per hour. Member States shall inform the Commission of any authorisations granted.
ANNEX V
(a)
National lists of species in danger of extinction or particularly endangered species, taking into account their geographical distribution.
(b)
Listing and ecological description of areas particularly important to migratory species on their migratory routes and as wintering and nesting grounds.
(c)
Listing of data on the population levels of migratory species as shown by ringing.
(d)
Assessing the influence of methods of taking wild birds on population levels.
(e)
Developing or refining ecological methods for preventing the type of damage caused by birds.
(f)
Determining the role of certain species as indicators of pollution.
(g)
Studying the adverse effect of chemical pollution on population levels of bird species.
ANNEX VI
PART A
REPEALED DIRECTIVE WITH LIST OF ITS SUCCESSIVE AMENDMENTS
(referred to in Article 18)
Council Directive 79/409/EEC
( OJ L 103, 25.4.1979, p. 1 )
1979 Act of Accession, Annex I, point XIII.1.F
( OJ L 291, 19.11.1979, p. 111 )
Council Directive 81/854/EEC
( OJ L 319, 7.11.1981, p. 3 )
Commission Directive 85/411/EEC
( OJ L 233, 30.8.1985, p. 33 )
1985 Act of Accession, Annex I, points X.1.(h) and X.6
( OJ L 302, 15.11.1985, p. 218 )
Council Directive 86/122/EEC
( OJ L 100, 16.4.1986, p. 22 )
Commission Directive 91/244/EEC
( OJ L 115, 8.5.1991, p. 41 )
Council Directive 94/24/EC
( OJ L 164, 30.6.1994, p. 9 )
1994 Act of Accession, Annex I, point VIII.E.1
( OJ C 241, 29.8.1994, p. 175 )
Commission Directive 97/49/EC
( OJ L 223, 13.8.1997, p. 9 )
Council Regulation (EC) No 807/2003
( OJ L 122, 16.5.2003, p. 36 )
only Annex III, point 29
2003 Act of Accession, Annex II, point 16.C.1
( OJ L 236, 23.9.2003, p. 667 )
Council Directive 2006/105/EC
( OJ L 363, 20.12.2006, p. 368 )
only as regards the reference, in Article 1, to Directive 79/409/EEC and point A.1 of the Annex
Directive 2008/102/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council
( OJ L 323, 3.12.2008, p. 31 )
PART B
LIST OF TIME LIMITS FOR TRANSPOSITION INTO NATIONAL LAW
(referred to in Article 18)
Directives
Time limit for transposition
79/409/EEC
7 April 1981
81/854/EEC
—
85/411/EEC
31 July 1986
86/122/EEC
—
91/244/EEC
31 July 1992
94/24/EC
29 September 1995
97/49/EC
30 September 1998
2006/105/EC
1 January 2007
2008/102/EC
—
ANNEX VII
CORRELATION TABLE
Directive 79/409/EEC
This Directive
Article 1(1) and (2)
Article 1(1) and (2)
Article 1(3)
—
Articles 2 to 5
Articles 2 to 5
Article 6(1), (2) and (3)
Article 6(1), (2) and (3)
Article 6(4)
—
Article 7(1), (2) and (3)
Article 7(1), (2) and (3)
Article 7(4), first sentence
Article 7(4), first subparagraph
Article 7(4), second sentence
Article 7(4), second subparagraph
Article 7(4), third sentence
Article 7(4), third subparagraph
Article 7(4), fourth sentence
Article 7(4), fourth subparagraph
Article 8
Article 8
Article 9(1)
Article 9(1)
Article 9(2), introductory wording
Article 9(2), introductory wording
Article 9(2), first indent
Article 9(2), point (a)
Article 9(2), second indent
Article 9(2), point (b)
Article 9(2), third indent
Article 9(2), point (c)
Article 9(2), fourth indent
Article 9(2), point (d)
Article 9(2), fifth indent
Article 9(2), point (e)
Article 9(3)
Article 9(3)
Article 9(4)
Article 9(4)
Article 10(1)
Article 10(1), first sentence
Article 10(2), first sentence
Article 10(1), second sentence
Article 10(2), second sentence
Article 10(2)
Articles 11 to 15
Articles 11 to 15
Article 16(1)
—
Article 17
Article 16
Article 18(1)
—
Article 18(2)
Article 17
—
Article 18
—
Article 19
Article 19
Article 20
Annex I
Annex I
Annex II/1
Annex II, Part A
Annex II/2
Annex II, Part B
Annex III/1
Annex III, Part A
Annex III/2
Annex III, Part B
Annex IV
Annex IV
Annex V
Annex V
—
Annex VI
—
Annex VII
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