Review of the eu biodiversity strategy to 2020

Cyprus

EU Target or Action	EU Target 1 (Please note that information from Member States in relation to Action 1a is supplied to the European Commission via other reports. To avoid duplication of reporting, information relating to Action 1a has not been included in this report)
Action 1b: Natura 2000 (and other protected areas)	Management plans of PAs have been integrated in territorial planning and in the rural (countryside) policy as well as other large scale plans such as renewable energy plan. Data links: http://www.moi.gov.cy/moi/tph/tph.nsf/page07_gr/page07_gr?OpenDocument, http://www.moa.gov.cy/moa/environment/environment.nsf/All/35A023DEB9FE371FC22578B800356FEC?OpenDocument (Environment department webpage will be updated shortly) http://www.moa.gov.cy/moa/environment/environment.nsf/All/F819D936E48D0D13C22578A40036973B?OpenDocument (Environment department data will be updated shortly)
	The value of biological diversity has been recognized and will be integrated in sectoral policies and strategies of the Island by 2020, and will be incorporated into projects such as Integrated Projects (IP) and Operational Programmes (OP). Biological diversity is integrated into a number of strategies and policies and is included in programs such as the agriculture rural development plan, structural fund, regional development fund, fisheries fund, etc. Data links: http://www.moa.gov.cy/moa/da/da.nsf/0/3f2ae25455b0302bc2257d2000345cd0/$FILE/ATT6SZ77/%CE%A0%CF%81%CE%BF%CF%83%CF%87%CE%AD%CE%B4%CE%B9%CE%BF%20%CE%A0%CE%91%CE%91%202014_2020%2024%20%CE%99%CE%BF%CF%85%CE%BB%CE%AF%CE%BF%CF%85%202014.pdf http://www.structuralfunds.org.cy/default.aspx?NewsID=2726&typeid=20 [to be updated by the Member State]
Action 1c: Natura 2000 (and other protected areas)	Among measures and actions in NBS, target and priorities, of N2K network, special attention has been given to the management of protected areas and to the need to enhance a new approach for adequate funding towards improvement of scientific knowledge and socio economic aspects, in order to support policy and decision making process. Data links: http://www.moa.gov.cy/moa/environment/environment.nsf/All/CE0747F45EB24725C2257B2F002D1685?OpenDocument (Environment department data will be will be update shortly) http://www.structuralfunds.org.cy/default.aspx?articleID=2385 [to be updated by the Member State]
	All Natura 2000 areas have management plans that include measures and actions for PAs (habitats and species). PAs has been designed for the main biodiversity element of the island and is a tool to halt the decline in biological diversity. The Environment department along with the other competent authorities is protecting and restores natural habitats and species with actions and measures that are taken in the sites.
Action 2: Adequate financing of Natura 2000	Cyprus completed Prioritized Action framework (PAFs) for Natura 2000 in order to effectively achieve conservation and protection of the N2K areas. There have been efforts to include Biodiversity issues in the Structural Funds. The final amount is yet to be defined. The LIFE and RDF program also gives opportunity for funding. Data link: http://www.structuralfunds.org.cy/default.aspx?articleID=2385 [to be updated by the Member State]
	Current funds (horizon 2014-2020) will contribute significantly to the establishment of more - cohesive - natural landscapes, and to prevent further fragmentation and natural destruction of natural habitats. Data link: http://www.structuralfunds.org.cy/default.aspx?articleID=2385 [to be updated by the Member State]
	The Environment Department has secured funds from Structural Funds, which will be contributing for the Natura 2000 areas. The LIFE Program (the Financial Instrument for the Environment) is the EU’s financial instrument supporting environmental and nature conservation projects throughout the EU. A total of € 6.182.040 have been granted during 2007-2013 for projects for Nature in Cyprus. Efforts are being made in order to be able to have access to funds from the new LIFE Program. The Ministry of Agriculture Natural Resource and Environment (MANRE) are committed to implement the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity. Mobilization of financial resources for the Implementation of NSB will be take place during 2015. Data link: http://www.structuralfunds.org.cy/default.aspx?articleID=2385 [to be updated by the Member State]
Action 3a: Stakeholder awareness and enforcement	Work has been carried out in Cyprus in many areas to increase public awareness of the values of the biological diversity. Seminars for several Life projects as well as consultation for PAs focus on the biodiversity and its value and the added value of the N2K in the local Communities. The following activities have been launched: Evaluation of plans and large scale projects Improvement of Conservation Status Information/ Consultation seminar for NBS with all stakeholders Information seminar on Climate Change and biodiversity Information seminar on Desertification and biodiversity Presentation of the results of Life Nature and Information Projects Presentation of financing Natura (PAs) and Biodiversity Environmental education mainly for Schools Stakeholder’s awareness – general seminars for public, use of internet media etc. Data links: http://www.plantnet.org.cy/home.html, http://www.plantnet.org.cy/workshops-presentations.html, http://www.moa.gov.cy/moa/icostacy/icostacy.nsf/index_en/index_en?OpenDocument http://www.moa.gov.cy/moa/icostacy/icostacy.nsf/All/14B3D5ABE5E93CF5C22578DC002D1870?OpenDocument http://adaptationcy.blogspot.com/p/cyadapt.html http://adaptationcy.blogspot.com/p/blog-page_15.html
Action 4a: Monitoring and reporting	During 2012 Cyprus established a monitoring system for both marine and terrestrial habitats and species. The monitoring system comprises different sub contractor for monitor, evaluate and analyze habitats and species in PAs. NBS (Biodiversity 2020) sets out Cyprus’s priority actions in order to achieve targets. Actions are focus to improve biodiversity components of the Island.
	Cyprus has initiated a monitoring system (2012) for all types of natural habitat and species. The system is designed to provide an understanding of the status of natural habitats and species and the environment in the country. Data link: http://www.moa.gov.cy/moa/environment/environment.nsf/All/0748C45EF555E692C2257C3D0047D1E1?OpenDocument
EU Target or Action	EU Target 2
	The Department of Environment has the responsibility for the control and prevention of water and soil pollution arising from the operation of wastewater treatment plants and the discharge of the treated urban wastewater according to the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC. In Cyprus, the UWWTD 91/271/EEC and the control of sewage discharges to ground and surface waters is implemented via the Water Pollution Control Law as well as Regulations and Ministerial Decrees issued under the provisions of this Law as well as the Sewerage Law. For the effective enforcement of the above Laws, Waste Discharge Permits are issued by the Minister of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment. Each permit includes specific conditions regarding measures that must be taken by operator. Most commonly, measures refer to the following: Discharge method, quantity, areas, crops irrigated etc. Sludge Management. Self monitoring of effluent quality and quantity and record keeping. Compliance with relevant quality requirements. Data link: http://www.moa.gov.cy/moa/environment/environment.nsf/de08_gr/de08_gr?OpenDocument (Environment department web page and data will be will be update shortly)
	Cyprus formulated the National Action Plans for the three RIO Conventions. Implementation of National Action Plans for Climate Change, Desertification and Biodiversity will be implemented after their approval from the National Council of Ministries by the end of 2014. All three National Action Plans include measures for conservation and restoration of habitats their function and structure, focusing to reverse biodiversity loss, to implement climate changes adaptation scheme and to combat desertification as well as integration to other sectors, policies and strategies. Data links: http://www.moa.gov.cy/moa/environment/environment.nsf/All/CE0747F45EB24725C2257B2F002D1685?OpenDocument (Environment department data will be will be update shortly) http://www.moa.gov.cy/moa/environment/environment.nsf/All/35A023DEB9FE371FC22578B800356FEC?OpenDocument (Environment department data will be will be update shortly) http://adaptationcy.blogspot.com/p/cyadapt.html
Action 6a & 6b: Ecosystem restoration and green infrastructure	Cyprus's N2K areas represent 28% including both SCIs and SPAs. Some of the most significant LIFE projects focused on the improvement of conservation and restoration of the N2K areas for ecosystems, habitats and species. Currently the Environment Department has paid significant attention on designation of Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) and general protection of the habitats and wildlife (flora and fauna) and, conservation of the sites integrity. Specific attention has been given to wetlands coastal habitats and rivers. Current funds (horizon 2014-2020) will contribute significantly to the establishment of more - cohesive - natural landscapes, and to prevent further fragmentation and natural destruction of natural habitats. Landscape elements have been incorporated in the Rural Development Plan (2014-2020) for protection, conservation and rehabilitation. Data link: http://www.structuralfunds.org.cy/default.aspx?articleID=2385 [to be updated by the Member State]
	Actions and measures include: Nature protection of natural habitat types and species covered by the EU's habitat and bird protection directive, protection of natural habitat areas. Woodland planting and an increase in wooded areas help towards CO2 retention and thus make a positive contribution to the CO2 accounts, protect groundwater and ensure high quality drinking water. Restoration of coastal habitats Restoration and maintain species habitats Restoration of river ecosystems and wetlands Continuation of monitoring scheme Initiation of mapping of both habitats and species Promotion of green infrastructure for landscape connectivity Designation of HNVf areas Within the LIFE Program, Projects have been launched for both habitats and species Raising of Local communities awareness Data links: http://www.moa.gov.cy/moa/da/da.nsf/page54_gr/page54_gr?OpenDocument http://www.moa.gov.cy/moa/da/da.nsf/All/A806626727775C81C2257A4000367471?OpenDocument http://www.pap-thecoastcentre.org/about.php?blob_id=30
EU Target or Action	EU Target 3
Target 3a & 3b	The majority of Cyprus rural areas is natural habitats and are found or linked to farming and forested areas. A new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and RDP for 2014-2020 is being compiled, and focus on "greening" concerning consideration of the nature, protection of habitats and species that depend on agriculture practices. Cyprus areas that are utilized for agriculture, aquaculture and forestry are managed towards a sustainable way. Policies for the three sectors set targets in order to integrate and ensure conservation of biodiversity components. Axe 2 of RDP includes most significant actions for environment to make possible a sustainable management of agricultural and forested land as well as conservation of biodiversity. Measures have been proposed for the new RDP 2014-2020, foreseeing to be implementing in the N2K areas. Data link: http://www.moa.gov.cy/moa/da/da.nsf/0/3f2ae25455b0302bc2257d2000345cd0/$FILE/ATT6SZ77/%CE%A0%CF%81%CE%BF%CF%83%CF%87%CE%AD%CE%B4%CE%B9%CE%BF%20%CE%A0%CE%91%CE%91%202014_2020%2024%20%CE%99%CE%BF%CF%85%CE%BB%CE%AF%CE%BF%CF%85%202014.pdf
Action 8a & 8b: Environmental public goods in the CAP and GAEC cross-compliance	Agriculture activities are currently managed to ensure more environmental friendly practices e.g. biological products. Data link: http://www.moa.gov.cy/moa/da/da.nsf/All/FDF8F732CA3A5924C2257A4000357773?OpenDocument
Action 10: Agricultural genetic diversity	The Institute of Agricultural Research (IAR) created a gene bank for plant material and domesticated animals of traditional breed. A programme has been taking place to locate and register the wild relatives of crops and their preservation status carried out for some species with foreign Universities and institutes (e.g. Spain). Data link: http://www.moa.gov.cy/moa/ari/ari.nsf/index_gr/index_gr?opendocument
Action 11a & 11b: Forest holders and biodiversity	Some of the most significant LIFE projects focused on the improvement of conservation and restoration of the N2K areas for ecosystems, habitats and species. Current funds (horizon 2014-2020) will contribute significantly to the establishment of more - cohesive - natural landscapes, and to prevent further fragmentation and natural destruction of natural habitats. Landscape elements have been incorporated in the Rural Development Plan (2014-2020) for protection, conservation and rehabilitation. The LIFE Program (the Financial Instrument for the Environment) is the EU’s financial instrument supporting environmental and nature conservation projects throughout the EU. A total of € 6.182.040 have been granted during 2007-2013 for projects for Nature in Cyprus. Efforts are being made in order to be able to have access to funds from the new LIFE Program. Data link: http://www.moa.gov.cy/moa/environment/environment.nsf/de23_gr/de23_gr?OpenDocument
Action 12: Biodiversity in forest management plans	The Natura 2000 network has almost been completed and major efforts are directed towards an efficient manage the areas (habitats and species). For all areas have been prepared management plans that include conservation measures for each site. Cyprus completed Prioritized Action framework (PAFs) for Natura 2000 in order to effectively achieve conservation and protection of the N2K areas. Data link: http://www.moa.gov.cy/moa/environment/environment.nsf/All/C616AEA921159FBAC22578010040DBF9?OpenDocument
	The state forests in Cyprus are management for the protection biodiversity and the ecosystems services, and in a sustainable way. The main object of the State Forest Policy is the development through sustainable management, maintain its multiple use, biodiversity conservation and upgrading and promotion/ utilization of all functions of forest ecosystems, aiming at providing a longer and better quality life to society and preserving at the same time the forests for future generations. Data link: http://www.moa.gov.cy/moa/fd/fd.nsf/DMLreserves_gr/DMLreserves_gr?OpenDocument
EU Target or Action	EU Target 4
Action 13a, 13b & 13c: Fish stock management	The Governmental policy in the Fisheries Resources Sector aims at sustainable and balanced management of the resources, the increased contribution of fisheries in the domestic production of fish and in the improvement of professional fishermen’s work conditions. The management of fisheries resources is achieved through fisheries research, the collection of fishery data and their utilisation for the exploitation of the Cyprus fisheries stocks, as well as the development of the Government’s fisheries policy. The data collected concern the following: 1. Biology of the economically most important species of fish 2. Fishing fleet activity 3. Fishing capacity of fishing vessels (capacity, power) 4. Fishing effort (days at sea, type and quantity of fishing gear) 5. Catches (quantitative and qualitative data for marketed and non-marketed species) 6. Economic situation of the fisheries sector Data links: http://www.moa.gov.cy/moa/dfmr/dfmr.nsf/DMLindex_gr/DMLindex_gr?OpenDocument [to be updated by the Member State] http://www.moa.gov.cy/moa/dfmr/dfmr.nsf/DMLcontrol_data_gr/DMLcontrol_data_gr?OpenDocument [to be updated by the Member State] http://www.moa.gov.cy/moa/dfmr/dfmr.nsf/DMLSea_gr/DMLSea_gr?OpenDocument [to be updated by the Member State]
EU Target or Action	EU Target 5
	Several projects within the Framework of the LIFE Programs have focussed on the eradication of invasive alien species such as Acacia spp., aquatic water tortoise, etc. Additionally, the upcoming EU legislation (regulation) on Invasive Alien Species (IAS) will be implemented and strengthen towards this target. Data links: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/project/Projects/index.cfm?fuseaction=search.dspPage&n_proj_id=2652 http://www.moa.gov.cy/moa/environment/environment.nsf/All/A3554096694795AAC2257D0B002D604F
EU Target or Action	EU Target 6
Action 17a: Drivers of biodiversity loss	A new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and RDP for 2014-2020 is being compiled, and focus on "greening" concerning consideration of the nature, protection of habitats and species that depend on agriculture practices. Data link: http://www.moa.gov.cy/moa/da/da.nsf/0/3f2ae25455b0302bc2257d2000345cd0/$FILE/ATT6SZ77/%CE%A0%CF%81%CE%BF%CF%83%CF%87%CE%AD%CE%B4%CE%B9%CE%BF%20%CE%A0%CE%91%CE%91%202014_2020%2024%20%CE%99%CE%BF%CF%85%CE%BB%CE%AF%CE%BF%CF%85%202014.pdf
Action 20: Access to genetic resources and sharing of benefits	The protocol was ratified by the UN in 2012, and agreement reached in the EU on a new directive to fulfill its provisions. Cyprus singed the Protocol and is foreseeing to ratify the Nagoya Protocol by end of 2014.