EPP Group Hearing: From Stress Test to Solutions – Practical Lessons for the Birds and Habitats Directives

From Stress Test to Solutions – Practical Lessons for the Birds and Habitats Directives

Thursday, 19 November 2026
9:30-12:00
European Parliament, Brussels (room JAN 6Q1)

The Birds and Habitats Directives are cornerstone elements of the EU’s nature protection framework. At the same time, their practical implementation has raised concerns among a range of stakeholders, including farmers, forest owners, municipalities, infrastructure operators and regional authorities.

Against the background of the European Commission’s ongoing stress test of the Birds and Habitats Directives, this hearing will bring together Members of the European Parliament, European Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy Jessika Roswall, representatives of DG ENV and key stakeholders to exchange views on the practical challenges arising from the current framework and discuss possible ways forward.

Through practical insights and an exchange of views among speakers and participants, the hearing will contribute to the ongoing discussion on how to make the Birds and Habitats Directives fit for purpose.

This EPP Group hearing is co-hosted by MEPs Norbert Lins and Peter Liese.

If you wish to attend this hearing, please register by COB on 13 November 2026 through the EPP Group registration platform.

Programme

9:30 ¦ Welcome coffee

10:00 ¦ Opening remarks

Opening remarks by Norbert LINS MEP and Peter LIESE MEP
Keynote speech by Jessika ROSWALL, Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy

10:20 ¦ Panel I: Natura 2000: Balancing Nature Protection and Land Use

Stijn DE ROO, Member of the Flemish Parliament (cd&v) and City Councillor in Ghent, Belgium
Maija RANTAMÄKI, Head of EU Forest Affairs, Finnish Forest Industries Federation
Erich GUSSEN, President of the Rheinischer Landwirtschaftsverband
Reaction from Ion CODESCU, Director, DG ENV.D Biodiversity
Moderated by Norbert LINS MEP

11:10 ¦ Panel II: Species Protection: Balancing Conservation and Rural Livelihoods

Cy GRIFFIN, Senior Conservation Manager, European Federation for Hunting and Conservation
Dieter KRATTENMACHER, Mayor of the municipality of Kißlegg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
Marcus SCHIFFER, Mayor of the City of Soest, Germany
Reaction from Ion CODESCU, Director, DG ENV.D Biodiversity
Moderated by Norbert LINS MEP