EPCS Mid-term review

To download the publication of the EPCS mid-term review, please click on the image.

At the 4th Planta Europa Conference in Valencia, Spain, September 2004, conservationists from across Europe carried out a mid-term review of the European Plant Conservation Strategy (EPCS). The objective of this mid-term review was to identify eventual problems and assess the progress in the implementation of the EPCS targets.

The outcome of this review was very promising, more than 50% of the 42 targets of the EPCS are progressing well and two have already been achieved by 2004.

The conference delegates recognised, however, a number of key constraints and issues affecting the implementation of the EPCS. The identified constraints and issues resulted in a lack of progress, or even a complete halt, in some of the targets.

1. Inconsistent commitment by the identified lead organisations to implement assigned targets. Some lead organisations were not fully aware of the implications of their role as lead or were not in a position to make progress in delivering their assigned targets.
   
2. There is need for the Council of Europe and its member governments to make a greater commitment to the strategy’s implementation.
   
3. The implementation of the EPCS should be enhanced through an increased harmonisation of activities with the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation (GSPC), the EU Biodiversity Strategy and the Bern Convention obligations.
   
4. A clear monitoring and evaluation process for reviewing the implementation of the EPCS needs to be established.
   
5. A focus was laid on the contribution of Planta Europa Networks to the implementation of the EPCS. In this aspect, the development of the Seven Critical Targets for Planta Europa network was a key output of the conference.

The Mid-term review describes the European progress made in delivering plant conservation in Europe. This commitment goes beyond the scope of the Planta Europa Network, as many targets calls for national governments and other sectors to become active and work together more closely.

In 2007, a final review of the EPCS will be taking place.