The European Commission has launched a public consultation on the Birds and Habitats Directives, with contributions feeding into a stress test of both. This is part of the Commission’s wider simplification initiative to strengthen EU competitiveness while continuing to safeguard environmental, economic and social goals.
The EU Nature Directives protect birds, other species and habitats in the EU, contributing to Europe’s resilience and implementing international commitments. Announced in December 2025, the stress test aims to assess whether the directives can achieve their objectives to protect nature in the EU in a cost-efficient way. The stress test will also identify opportunities to reduce unnecessary administrative burden while maintaining the directives’ ambition and high standards of nature protection.
Contribute here by 4 August 2026.