The Bern Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats 1979, also known as the Bern Convention (or Berne Convention), came into force on June 1, 1982.

It has now been signed by the 39 member states of the Council of Europe, together with the European Union, Monaco, Burkina Faso, Morocco, Tunisia and Senegal.

Algeria, Belarus, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Cape Verde, the Holy See, San Marino and Russia are among non-signatories that have observer status at meetings of the committee.

Aims and objectives

The convention sets out to:

• conserve wild flora and fauna and their natural habitats;
• promote co-operation between states;
• monitor and control endangered and vulnerable species;
• assist with the provision of assistance concerning legal and scientific issues.

The convention lead to the creation in 1998 of the Emerald network of Areas of Special Conservation Interest (ASCIs) throughout the territory of the parties to the convention, which operates alongside the European Union's Natura 2000 programme.

It also provides for the monitoring and control of endangered species, and the provision of assistance concerning legal and scientific issues.

Appendices

Four appendices set out particular species for protection. They are regularly updated by the Standing Committee, who are advised by a number of Expert Groups:

• strictly protected flora species - Appendix I
• strictly protected fauna species - Appendix II
• protected fauna species - Appendix III
• prohibited means and methods of killing, capture and other forms of exploitation - Appendix IV

See also

• Environmental agreements

External links

• Text of treaty and appendicies (http://conventions.coe.int/treaty/en/Treaties/Html/104.htm)
• Council of Europe environment and sustainable development Web site (http://www.coe.int/T/E/Cultural_Co-operation/Environment/)