Closed cases
The Case-File Dashboard contains information on the more than 200 case-files of the Bern Convention. It is divided into active case-files (open, possible, stand-by and new complaints) and the closed/dismissed cases. Information featured includes a short summary of the case-file, timeline, and a list of reports from the case-file parties and possible other relevant documents including mission reports and Recommendations. Filters to the right (or bottom of the page from smartphone or tablet) can be used to narrow the search of case-files by particular aspects, e.g. to search for all cases which have had an associated Recommendation, this sub-category can be found under the Possible threats/factors category.
Please note that not all information is digitally available for the older case-files, and that the information provided for the closed cases tends to be more limited. The Dashboard will only be updated several times per year, so the information should be considered for guidance purposes only.
Last updated: 04/12/2023
Presumed large-scale exploitation and marketing of protected marine shelled molluscs
The complaint was issued by the DG Joint Research Centre - Institute for Environment and Sustainability in 2014 on the large-scale exploitation and marketing of protected marine shelled molluscs in Greece.
Alleged threats to marine turtles due to a new coal-fired power plant at Sugözü Beach
The complaint was submitted in 2021 by ÇETKO - ÇevreveTüketiciyiKorumaDerneği and other associations on the construction of a coal-fired plant and the supporting infrastructure including port structures, a pier and a road connection at Sugözü Beach.
Fence Construction on the Polish-Belarusian Border
The complaint was submitted by several stakeholders who were concerned that the construction of a fence on the Belarus-Poland border in the Belovezhskaya Pushcha could affect wildlife.
Alleged unsustainable logging within the Retezat National Park
This complaint was submitted in 2021 by a Romanian citizen and concerns logging activities within the territory of Retezat National Park in Romania, on the valley of Râul Alb.
Alleged threat to biodiversity due to draft amendment of hunting legislation
The complaint was submitted in 2020 by BSPB – the Bulgarian Society for the protection of birds on a draft amendment and supplement of the Hunting and Game Protection Law in Bulgaria.
Uncontrolled slaughter of badgers (Meles meles) in France
The complaint was submitted in 2020 by a French citizen on the culling of badgers (Meles meles), which is protected under Annex 3 of the Bern Convention.
Lack of protection of the Scottish Wildcat (Felis silvestris)
The complaint was submitted in 2020 by the Wildcat Haven Community Interest Company on the protection of wildcats in Scotland, who are protected under Appendix II of the Bern Convention.
Lack of appropriate legal protection of Fungi species
The file was submitted in 2019 by a Belgian citizen on the legal protection of Fungi species in Belgium. According to the complainant, Belgium’s legal protection of Fungi is insufficient.
Alleged negative impact from the construction of Ilisu Dam HPP
The complaint was submitted in 2019 by the Kazdagi Association for Protecting Natural and Cultural Heritage on the construction of the Ilisu Dam HPP in Turkey
Border fence construction between Denmark and Germany
The complaint was submitted in 2019 by WWF Denmark and WWF Germany on the building of a coast-to-coast fence between Germany and Denmark to stop the migration of wild boar (Sus scrofa) to lower the risk of outbreaks of African swine plague (ASF) in Danish pig farming
Presumed threat to Emerald site “Cholhynskyi” (UA0000178) from windfarm development
The complaint was submitted in 2019 by UNCG on the building of a wind power plant within an Emerald network site in the Lviv region in Ukraine.
Belarus: Presumed threats to Emerald Network sites Olmanskiye bolota (BY0000012) and Topila Bog (BY0000083)
The complaint was submitted in 2018 by the Brest regional Branch of QPB - BirdLife Belarus on the construction of Forestry road No.3 in the Basin of the Seiha river in Polesia, Southern Belarus.
Alleged threat to Bodrum Tilkicik Bay from the development of a marine project
The complaint was submitted in 2018 by Bodrum Tilkicik Koylan Girisimi concerning the construction of a marina for 154 yachts at Tilkicik Bay.
Presumed threat to Emerald site “Black Sea Biosphere Reserve” (UA0000017) from military trainings
The complaint was submitted in 2018 by UNCP concerning military trainings within the Emerald Network site “Black Sea Biosphere Reserve”, which is, according to the complainant, taking place within the most valuable and protected part of the Emerald territory.
Alleged threat to the Raaderwald Forest in Austria
The case was submitted in 2017 by an Austrian citizen on the deforestation of the Raaderwald, which is according to the complainant, home to a variety of species protected under the Appendix II of the Bern Convention.
Presumed threat to Emerald site Tarutino (UA0000137) from cultivation developments
This complaint was submitted in 2018 by Vidrodzhennya on the cultivation of the Tartino Steppe, an Emerald Network site, situated in Besarabia, in the western part of the Odesa region, Ukraine.
Possible negative impact of a harbour’s construction on the confluence of the Sava into the Danube
The complaint was submitted by the association “EPAR – OIPA Serbia / Alliance for Nature Protection, the rights of animals and people” in 2017 on the construction of a harbour in the area of the confluence of the Sava river into the Danube river.
Lack of legal protection for Northern Goshawk and birds of prey in Norway
This complaint was submitted in 2021 by BirdLife Norway concerning the lack of legal protection for Northern Goshawk and other birds of prey in Norway, due to a change in the national legislation.
Presumed risk of national extinction of Great Bustards
This complaint was submitted in 2016 by the association “EPAR - OIPA SERBIA Serbia / Alliance for Nature Protection, the rights of animals and people” on the conservation status of the Great Bustard (Otis tarda) in Serbia which is protected under the Appendix II of the Bern Convention
Possible impact of wind-farm developments on bats
In 2014 the Bat Study Group Macedonia and Birdlfie Macedonia submitted a complaint on the possible impact of wind farm developments on bats near the village of Bodganci located in the very close vicinity of the Dojran Lake.
Possible impact of haying performed in the steppe and forest-steppe reserves of Ukraine
The complaint was submitted by Kyiv Ecological and Cultural Center in 2014 regarding haying practices in the steppe and forest-steppe reserves of Ukraine, which might affect species protected under Bern Convention Appendix II and habitats.
Wind energy: Possible threats to an endangered natural habitat in Izmir
The complaint was submitted by a Citizen of Çeşme in 2014 regarding a wind-farm project in Izmir, which is, according to the complainant, not fulfilling the EIA requirements
Presumed ecosystem perturbation deriving from badger culls in England
The complaint submitted by Humane Society International/UK in 2014 concerns the culling of badgers in England, which has, according to the complainant, potential negative effects on the local biodiversity and ecosystems.
Presumed deliberate killing of birds / Alleged deliberate killing of birds of prey
The complaint was submitted on the alleged killings of birds in Serbia.
Presumed risk of national extinction of badgers (Meles meles) in Ireland
The complaint was submitted by the Irish Wildlife Trust in 2014 concerning the increased culling of badgers in Ireland.
Impact of corn monoculture on the conservation status of protected species in Alsace
The complaint was submitted by Sauvegarde Faune sauvage in 2013 concerning the presumed destruction of 75-80% of the flora and fauna of the Alsace region due to corn monoculture in the plains of Haut-Rhin.
Presumed destruction of birds’ and bats’ habitats due to tourism developments in Ukrainian Natural Reserves
The complaint lodged by the Nature Protection Squad Green future in 2013 concerns the destruction of important habitats of bats and rare bird species due to the issuing of permits (ceiling limits) for the boating of tourists along the cliffs and the walking tours of caves in two Nature Reserves...
Presumed abusive eradication of the badger (Meles meles) in France
The complainant was submitted by a French citizen in 2013 to denounce a possible breach of the Convention by France with regards to the policy of control of the European badger (Meles meles) with its possible eradication on the national level.
Presumed risk of national extinction of badgers (Meles meles) in England
The complaint was submitted by English citizens and associations in 2013 concerning the extension of the period and localities in England where a trial free-shooting of badgers takes place, in view of reducing Bovine TB.
Presumed impact of a construction of Overhead Power Line (OHL) in an environmentally sensitive area in the Lithuanian-Polish borderland
The complaint was submitted in 2013 regarding the impacts of the construction of an Overhead Power Line which is affecting an environmentally sensitive area in the Lithuanian-Polish borderland as well as species and habitats protected under the Bern Convention.
Presumed threat to bats due to felling of trees in Ukrainian natural reserves
The complaint concerns the presumed threat to bats due to felling of trees in Ukrainian natural reserves.
Implantation of an asphalt plant in a flood risk area with possible threats to the otter (Lutra lutra) and the European mink (Mustela lutreola)
The complaint was submitted in 2013 focusing on the supposed pollution of the habitat of species due to the implantation of a bitumen manufactory in a flooding area of the Avance valley in the Lot-et-Garonne in Aquitaine
Cutting of trees for the expansion of the railway network
The complaint was submitted by the association Tree Savers in 2012 concerning the Network Rail tree clearance programme along the railway embankment in Whitstable, Kent (UK).
Impact of a project for the regulation of the Danube River on the river’s biodiversity
The complaint was submitted by WWF in 2012 to denounce the planning of a project for the regulation of the Danube river in Croatia, for navigation purposes, which could affect a relatively important number of species and habitats listed in Appendices I, II and III of the Convention.
Marsupella profunda threatened by a waste burn incinerator at Rostowrack Farm St Dennis
The complaint was submitted by the association Cornwall Waste Forum St Dennis Branch in 2012 concerning the building of a waste burn incinerator plant, which is likely to affect a Special Area of Conservation in close vicinity to the project location.
Ecological impact of the town Planning in Lunay
The complaint was submitted by a French citizen in 2012 concerning the impact of a local planning project on agricultural and natural areas situated outside of existing urban areas in the city of Lunay.
Presumed illegal killing of birds in Malta
The complaint was submitted by a Maltese citizen in 2012 concerning bird-killing by Maltese nationals during the spring season.
Ski tourism developments in Stara Planina candidate Emerald site
The complaint was submitted in 2012 regarding ski tourism developments on the territory of Stara Planina National Park which might have a detrimental impact on a long list of protected species.
Sport and recreation facilities in Çıralı key turtle nesting beach
The complaint was submitted in 2012 concerning land allocation for the establishment of football grounds and recreation facilities which might affect the loggerhead sea turtle in Çıralı beach.
Steady decline of the national badger (Meles meles) population in Ireland
The complaint was submitted by the Irish Wildlife Trust in 2012 concerning the culling of badgers in Ireland, which has reduced population densities.
Possible spread of the American mink (Neovison vison) in Poland
The complaint was submitted by a Polish citizen in 2012 claiming that the American mink (Neovison vison) had not been included in the list of non-native plants and animals that might endanger native species.
Wide scale culling of badgers to control bovine tuberculosis in cattle
The complaint was submitted by the Human Society International/UK in 2012 denouncing a possible breach of the Bern Convention following the announcement made by the UK government on plans to introduce wide scale culling of badgers to control bovine tuberculosis in cattle.
Threat to the Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) in Ukraine
The complaint was submitted by the Kyiv Ecological and Cultural Centre in 2011 denouncing a possible breach of the Convention with regards to the presumed illegal killing of Bottlenose dolphins
Management of the wolf (Canis lupus) in Ukraine
The complaint was submitted by the Kyiv Ecological and Cultural Centre in 2011 denouncing a possible breach of the Bern Convention with regards to the management of the Wolf (Canis lupus) in Ukraine
Threat to the brown bear in Croatia
The complaint was submitted by the NGO Udruga Animalia in 2011 denouncing a possible breach of the Bern Convention with regards to the presumed unsustainable management of the Brown bear population
Threats to the Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus)
The complainant concerns development plans comprising the construction of a road and new marine terminal near Yesilovacık village which would eventually have a detrimental impact on the Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus).
Threat to Riella helicophylla in the Department of the Bouches-du-Rhône
The complaint was submitted by 3 NGOs in 2011 concerning the building of a canal and industrial infrastructures in the city of Port Saint Louis du Rhône.
Management of carnivores in Norway
The complaint concerns the management of carnivores in Norway.
Culling of badgers in Côte d’Or
The complaint was submitted by the Academy of Sciences and Arts of Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2010 concerning the Vjetrenica in thePopovo polje karste area, which is home for 101 troglobiontic organisms of which 14 endemic species. According to the complainant, the cave is negatively affected...
Increase in turtle mortality in Episkopi and Akrotiri areas
The complaint was submitted by MEDASSET and Terra Cypria in 2010 reporting an important increase in sea turtle mortality rates, particularly significant for the green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) and the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta), in Episkopi area
