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Habitats Directive

The EU Habitats Directive aims to protect the wild plants, animals and habitats that make up our diverse natural environment.

The Directive created a network of protected areas around the European Union of national and international importance. They are called Natura 2000 sites.

These sites include:

  • Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) - these support rare, endangered or vulnerable natural habitats and species of plants and animals (other than birds)
  • Special Protection Areas (SPAs) - support significant numbers of wild birds and their habitats.

In the UK, the Habitats Directive is implemented by the Conservation of habitats and species regulations 2010 (SI no. 2010/490) (weblink), more commonly known as the Habitats Regulations.