Wild flora and fauna constitute a natural heritage of aesthetic, scientific, cultural, recreational, economic and intrinsic value that needs to be preserved and handed on to future generations. Wild flora and fauna plays an essential role in maintaining biological balances.
Numerous species of wild flora and fauna are being seriously depleted and that some of them are threatened with extinction.
The Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Bern 1979) aims to conserve wild flora and fauna and their natural habitats, especially those species and habitats whose conservation requires the co-operation of several States, and to promote such co-operation. Particular emphasis is given to endangered and vulnerable species, including endangered and vulnerable migratory species.
Article 2 of the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Bern 1979) requires the contracting parties to take requisite measures to maintain the population of wild flora and fauna at, or adapt it to, a level which corresponds in particular to ecological, scientific and cultural requirements, while taking account of economic and recreational requirements and the needs of sub-species, varieties or forms at risk locally.