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EU takes UK to court over harbour porpoises
harbour porpoise
Owing to the species unfavourable status in the EU, 13 member states have designated sites for its protection.
UK fails to propose protection sites for marine mammal

The European Commission is taking the UK to court over its failure to propose protection sites for harbour porpoises.

EU legislation requires member states to propose a list of sites for a number of species and habitats, ensuring they are protected from threats which could seriously harm them, and helping to maintain and restore them in the EU.

Regularly found in UK waters, the harbour porpoise is a small whale closely related to the family of oceanic dolphins.

Owing to the species unfavourable status in the EU, 13 member states have designated sites for its protection in around 200 sites. So far, the European Commission says the UK has only proposed one site in Northern Ireland and another in Scotland.

'As the UK has an extensive marine area, it has a particular responsibility for the protection of this species,' the commission said in a statement. 'The Commission has repeatedly urged the British authorities to fulfil their key obligations for the conservation of the species, as other member states have done already.'

The commission revealed last week (29 September) that it was taking the UK to the Court of Justice of the EU, following a letter of formal notice, which was sent to the UK government in June 2013, and a reasoned opinion sent in October 2014.

The UK conducted a public consultation recently on a number of potential sites in English and Welsh waters, but the commission said 'more needs to be done'.

The Habitats Directive requires the establishment of an EU-wide network of protected natural areas, the Natura 2000, which is made up of special areas of conservation (SACs) and special protection areas for birds (SPAs) under the Birds Directive. All member states highlight sites that are important for the conservation of species and habitats.

Once approved by the commission member states have six years to designate them as SACs and introduce management measures to maintain or restore the species and habitats to a good condition.

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

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News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.