EU birds and habitats directives 'under threat'
Close to half a million people have so far urged the European Commission not to weaken laws that protect wildlife and habitats in EU countries.
This is in response to a public consultation, which forms part of a 'fitness check' to assess the effectiveness and relevance of the directives.
Conservationists fear the review by the commission will result in a weakening of the laws, which have been in place since the late 1970s and early 80s.
A 100-strong partnership of UK charities called the Joint Links Group has referred to the review as "the single biggest threat to UK and European nature and biodiversity in a generation".
So far, over 486,000 people have signed a response to the consultation urging the commission to maintain and enforce the directives.
The consultation deadline has now been extended to 26 July, 2015, as a result of earlier technical problems. A full report on the responses is expected in autumn.
To take part in the consultation:
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/consultations/nature_fitness_check_en.htm
https://www.naturealert.eu/en
The 
