Berne Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats

The convention has three main aims, which are stated in Article 1:[1]

• to conserve wild flora and fauna and their natural habitats
• to promote cooperation between states
• to give particular attention to endangered and vulnerable species including endangered and vulnerable migratory species

The convention is divided into:

• Preamble

Because this convention has a special nature, which is to include the maximum number of signatures possible, it included the eventual signing by non-members of the Council of Europe: "the member States of the Council of Europe and the other signatories hereto, Considering that the aim of the Council of Europe is to achieve a greater unity between its members,...”[1]

• Chapter I – General provisions

It contains three articles, where it is stated the three aims of the Convention and general obligations of the Contracting Parties.

• Chapter II – Protection of habitats

Here are set out the obligations of the Contracting Parties concerning the conservation of the habitats.

• Chapter III – Protection of species

It contains the obligations of the Contracting Parties regarding the Appendices I, II, III and IV and the exceptions of these obligations.

• Chapter IV – Special provisions for migratory species

It contains the obligations of the Contracting Parties regarding migratory species.

• Chapter V – Supplementary provisions

It contains supplementary obligations of the Contracting Parties, concerning co-operation, research, reintroduction and introduction of species.

• Chapter VI – Standing Committee

It settles the functioning procedure of the Standing Committee and their tasks.

• Chapter VII – Amendments

Contains the procedure of amendments regarding articles and Appendices of the Convention.

• Chapter VIII – Settlement of disputes

It contains the procedure of the arbitration of any disputes that could arise between Contracting Parties.

• Chapter IX – Final provisions

It contains the final arrangements of the Convention.

• 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:

• Appendix I – Strictly protected flora species
• Appendix II – Strictly protected fauna species
• Appendix III – Protected fauna species
• Appendix IV – Prohibited means and methods of killing, capture and other exploitation

States that have ratified the Bern Convention

Member States of the Council of Europe, status as of April 28, 2018 [2]:

States not members of the Council of Europe

International Organisations

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

The convention led 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[3] programme.

To achieve successfully the aims of this Convention, a number of monitoring devices were implemented.

• Biogeographic regions of Europe
• Environmental agreements
• International Union for Conservation of Nature
• Red Data Book of the Russian Federation
• List of Council of Europe treaties

• Text of treaty and appendices
• Council of Europe environment and sustainable development
• Meetings for Nature 2012
• Natura 2000 network