European Protected Species (EPS) are species of plants and animals (other than birds) protected by law throughout the

European Union The European Union (EU) is a supranational political and economic union of member states that are located primarily in Europe. The union has a total area of and an estimated total population of about 447million. The EU has often been de ...

. They are listed in Annexes II and IV of the European

Habitats Directive The Habitats Directive (more formally known as Council Directive 92/43/EEC on the Conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora) is a directive adopted by the European Community in 1992 as a response to the Berne Convention. The E ...

. The lists include several hundred species of plants and animals. They do not include any fungi, lichens or birds.

states are required under the

to protect the listed species, and for some species (those listed in Annexe II), they are required to designate

Special Areas of Conservation A Special Area of Conservation (SAC) is defined in the European Union's Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC), also known as the ''Directive on the Conservation of Natural Habitats and of Wild Fauna and Flora''. They are to protect the 220 habitats and ap ...

(SACs) to protect populations of them. Birds are omitted from the Annexes because the

does not deal with birds – the equivalent bird species are protected separately under the earlier

Birds Directive The Birds Directive (formally known as Council Directive 2009/147/EC on the conservation of wild birds) is the oldest piece of EU legislation on the environment and one of its cornerstones which was unanimously adopted in April 1979 as the Dire ...

. Many species which are not European Protected Species are nevertheless protected by individual EU states.

External links

Annexe II of European

, listing European Protected Species for which Special Areas of Conservation, SACs must be created (scientific names only).

Annexe IV of European

, listing European Protected Species (scientific names only).

List of European Protected Species (animals only) including English names where they have them (on

Natural England Natural England is a non-departmental public body in the United Kingdom sponsored by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. It is responsible for ensuring that England's natural environment, including its land, flora and fauna, ...

web-page, but includes non- UK species).

European Protected Species (animals) occurring in UK: scientific and English names. List from UK Statutory Instrument implementing protection.

European Protected Species (plants) occurring in UK: scientific and English names. List from UK Statutory Instrument implementing protection. European Union and the environment, Protected Species {{EU-stub