Nature areas to lose some of their protection

Junior environment minister Henk Bleker is to scrap rules designed to protect threatened plant and animal species from 13 Dutch sites covered by the European Union’s Natura 2000 scheme.

His aim is to offer more opportunities for economic and social activities in nature areas, say press reports.
According to the minister, the move will not harm protected species, most of which are already protected under other laws.
Bleker is glad he is allowed by the EU to adjust the rules which, he says, shows Natura 2000 decisions are not set in concrete.
‘Nature should not be something that annoys people,’ he told reporters. ‘Nature is something to be enjoyed. That’s what I am aiming for.’
A year ago, Bleker removed several names from the 166 Dutch sites earmarked as special nature areas in Natura 2000.
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