1.5 Prevent and mitigate key threats

• Effective mechanisms to identify and prevent key threats in place (prerequisite to achieve effective management – see goal 1.1)

Several instruments and mechanisms have been installed to prevent destruction of natural values, and to promote effective management:

• the EIA procedures:  The EIA regulations and procedures for projects and plans and the Strategic Environmental Impact (SEA, implementation of the EC-Directive 2003/35) for plans and programmes are included in the jurisdiction of each of the regions and of the Federal Authority. In case of projects and plans or programmes in (or affecting) protected areas, these projects, plans or programmes are also assessed in view of their potential effect on the conservation status of the habitats and/or species.   Specific guidelines for the implementation of the EIA for projects have been developed, for SEAs they are presently being prepared by development screening methodology.

In Wallonia these aspects are included in the Environment Code and in the Decree on conservation of Natura 2000; in Flanders in the Decree for Nature Conservation and in the EIA law and guideline books;  in Brussels Region in the Decree for Nature Protection;  for the Federal marine areas in the Royal Decree  of 9 September 2003 and in the Federal Law of 13 February 2006.

• development of strategies for the control and prevention of IAS: IAS working group has been established on national level and has compiled all existing information on IAS in Belgium and organises concertation between the regions and federal authorities. Strategies and measures for controlling specific species(groups) have been developed and are implemented on regional level.

Federal marine area: deliberate introduction of non-native species into the Belgian marine areas is forbidden by law (Law of 20 January 1999) unless specific permission by Royal Decree and after appropriate assessment of the consequences of the introduction of non-native species for the native fauna, flora and habitats and risk assessment towards neighbouring areas.   The IMO treaty on Ballast Water, which was signed by Belgium, has not yet been ratified.

• codes for good conduct/practices : regional authorities developed codes of conduct or for good practices for ecological measures in agricultural uses, for nature management measures, for use of pesticides, for forest management.

• measures for restoration, compensation: regulations are included in regional and federal law and are mandatory for projects and plans affecting natural values in protected areas. Regional and Federal authorities are presently preparing the transposition and implementation of the EU-Directive 2004/35/EEC of 21 April 2004 on “Environmental Liability with regard to the prevention and remediation of environmental damage”.

In the Flemish region specific Nature Development Projects are initiated for Natura 2000 sites to restore and enhance nature values and develop public access infrastructure;, an overall programme has been approved by Decision of the government for the restoration and nature development for flood plains of the Schelde estuary.

• cross compliance: evaluation of agricultural use and practices in Natura 2000 is carried out in the regions through the EU cross compliance system to ensure compliance to EU environment and nature regulations, implementation is done in the framework of the EU Rural development Programme.

• Federal: marine action plan for pollution control

Bio-accumulating, persistent and toxic pollutants are tackled through the Hazardous Substances Strategy of the OSPAR Convention.  According to this strategy, emission to the marine environment of such hazardous substances will be reduced to background levels by 2020.  Specific action plans exist for a number of priority substances (see website OSPAR).

The Law of 20 January 1999 is the main legal instrument for the protection of the marine environment in the marine areas under Belgian jurisdiction. It provides measures to prevent and reduce the pollution caused by economical activities carried out at sea. It is linked with the Law of 6 April 1995 dealing more specifically with the prevention of the pollution of the sea by ships (MARPOL) .

Concerning legislation and actions to combat oil pollution and other pollution resulting from accidents at sea Belgium is a contracting party to the Bonn Agreement, a regional agreement dealing with operational cooperation between all North Sea countries in the fields of surveillance and combating marine pollution.

Under IMO, Belgium is presently implementing or ratifying various conventions (such as the International Convention on Pollution Preparedness, Response and Co-operation of 30 November 1990 and its protocol on preparedness, Response and co-operation to pollution incidents on ships of 2000, the International Convention on the Control of harmful anti-fouling Systems on Ships (2001), etc.  (see website www.imo.org ) .

• pesticide reduction plan: regional and local authorities are implementing reduction plans for the use of pesticides in the management of buffer zones, green spaces in urbanised areas, road and waterways verges. For the marine area pesticides are tackled through the Hazardous Substances Strategy of the OSPAR Convention.  According to this strategy, emission to the marine environment of hazardous substances (including pesticides) that are persistent, toxic and bioaccumulate will be reduced to background levels.

• a Manure Action Plan has been approved by government decision in the Flemish region to control manure use in so called ‘fragile areas’ which include PA.