Slovakia violated the Habitats and Birds Directives in a dispute over the protection of the western capercaillie, or wood grouse. This was announced on Wednesday by the EU Court of Justice in Luxembourg. It upheld in its entirety the infringement action brought by the European Commission. According to the court, Slovakia has not subjected plans and projects with a significant impact on the areas where the wood grouse lives to an adequate impact assessment, nor has it taken the necessary measures to protect its habitats. For example, the court considers failure to assess forest care programmes or accidental logging as a problem.
Source: TASR
Zuzana Botiková, Photo: TASR
