Flora, Fauna and Natural Habitats Protection

L.N. 164 of 2019

ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION ACT

(CAP. 549)

Flora, Fauna and Natural Habitats Protection

(Amendment) Regulations, 2019

IN EXERCISE of the powers conferred by articles 54 and 55 of

the Environment Protection Act, the Minister for the Environment,

Sustainable Development and Climate Change, after consultation with

the Environment and Resources Authority has made the following

regulations

The title of these regulations is the Flora, Fauna and Title.

Natural Habitats Protection (Amendment) Regulations, 2019 and these

regulations shall be read and construed as one with the Flora, Fauna S.L.549.44.

and Natural Habitats Protection Regulations, hereinafter referred to as

"the principal regulations".

Regulation 1 of the principal regulations shall be amended Amends

regulation 1 of

as follows

the principal

regulations.

(a) for the marginal note thereof the words "Citation and entry

into force." shall be substituted by the words "Citation.";

(b)

sub-regulations (2) and (3) thereof shall be deleted;

(c) sub-regulation (1) thereof shall be renumbered as

regulation 1.

In sub-regulation 3(b) of regulation 2 of the principal Amends

regulations, the words "79/409/EEC of 2 April 1979" shall be regulation

the principal

substituted by the words "2009/147/EC of 30 November 2009".

regulations.

In regulation 3 of the principal regulations immediately Amends

after the definition "sustainable use" there shall be added the following regulation

the principal

new definition

regulations.

"Tribunal" means the Environment and Planning Review

Tribunal as established in article 3 of the Environment and Cap. 551.

Planning Review Tribunal Act; "

Regulation 9 of the principal regulations shall be amended Amends

regulation 9 of

as follows

the principal

regulations.

(a)

sub-regulation (2) thereof shall be amended as

follows

(i) paragraphs (c) and (d) shall be re-numbered as

paragraphs (d) and (e) respectively; and

(ii) immediately after paragraph (b) there shall be

added the following new paragraph

"(c) for the maintenance or restoration, at a

favourable conservation status of species in Schedule

III;"; and

(b) immediately after sub-regulation (3) thereof there

shall be added the following new sub-regulation

"(4) Without prejudice to sub-regulations (1) and (2), the

competent authority may also prop ose sites of national importance

in view of the ecological, geological and natural features of the site in

line with the provisions of the Act.".

Sub-regulation (1) of regulation 11 of the principal

regulations, shall be substituted by the following

"(1) Upon the identification by the competent authority of

(a)

a site as a new SAC or SPA; or

(b)

an extension of an existing SAC or SPA,

in accordance with the provisions of regulations 9 and 10 as

applicable, the details of such site or sites shall be published in

the Gazette

Provided that the details of a site which has already been

identified in the Gazette through this regulation shall not require

republication.".

Regulation 12 of the principal regulations shall be amended

as follows

(a) sub-regulation (1) thereof, shall be substituted by the

following

"(1) The competent authority shall also notify any

one of the owners of

(a) any site which has been designated

as a new SAC or SPA; or

(b)

any extension of an existing SAC or

SPA,

of its inclusion in the list, and shall also affix such a copy of the

notice on site. If none of such owners is known, or if it is not

reasonably possible to effect service on such owners, the said

notice shall only be affixed on site and no service on such owners

as aforesaid need be made

Provided that for extensions of existing SACs or SPAs the

notification process shall be limited to those sites within the

extension area.";

(b) sub-regulations (2), (3) and (4) thereof shall be

renumbered as sub-regulations (3), (4) and (5) respectively;

(c) immediately after sub-regulation (1) thereof there

shall be added the following new sub-regulation

"(2) The requirement to notify owners of a site as

provided under sub-regulation (1) shall not apply for sites

for which such a notification process had already been

carried out.";

(d) in sub-regulation (4) thereof as re-numbered, the

words "of more than one property" shall be substituted by the

words "or more than one property"; and

(e) in sub-regulation (5) thereof as re-numbered the

words "This panel shall be affixed on the site by the 30 th

November, 2015." shall be deleted.

Sub-regulation (9) of regulation 14 of the principal Amends

regulation 14 of

regulations shall be amended as follows

the principal

regulations.

(a)

the marginal note thereof shall be deleted; and

(b) sub-regulation (9) shall be substituted with the

following

"(9) The competent authority may develop policies

in respect of the conservation of the natural beauty and

amenity of the land which are of major importance for wild

fauna and flora, with a view to improving the ecological

coherence of the National Ecological Network, the Natura

2000 Network and the Pan-European Ecological

Network.".

Sub-regulation (1) of regulation 15 of the principal Amends

regulation 15 of

regulations shall be substituted by the following

the principal

regulations.

"(1) For the purposes of the management of protected

sites, the competent authority may enter into a management

agreement with every owner, lessee or occupier of land forming

part of such areas for the management, conservation, restoration

or protection of the site, or any part of it.".

Immediately after regulation 15 of the principal regulations

there shall be added the following new regulation

Without prejudice to any other regulation, the

competent authority shall

(a) ensure a streamline approach to

management agreements, management plans and

conservation orders;

(b) regulate

the

implementation

of

management agreements, management plans and

conservation orders in line with the priorities of the

concerned site, as established by the competent

authority; and

(c) regularly review the implementation of

management agreements, management plans and

conservation orders, audit their progress, and adapt

and renew them, as necessary.".

11. Regulation 17 of the principal regulations shall be amended

as follows

(a) sub-regulations (3), (4) and (5) thereof shall be

renumbered as sub-regulations (5), (6) and (7) respectively;

(b) sub-regulation (2) thereof shall be substituted by the

following

"(2) The competent authority shall publish such

details of such a conservation order in the Gazette and on

the competent authority’s website. The competent authority

shall also notify any one of the owners of any site subject of

a conservation order, and shall also affix such a notice on

site. If none of such owners is known, or if it is not

reasonably possible to effect service on such owners, the

said notice shall only be affixed on site and no service on

such owners as aforesaid need be made. Notice of such

conservation order shall be registered in an index held for

that purpose. The said index shall be held in an electronic

form in such a way that researches to determine whether a

site is subject to an order may be carried out.";

(c) immediately after sub-regulation (2) thereof, there

shall be added the following new sub-regulations

"(3) The competent authority shall provide the

details of the relevant protected sites under these

regulations to the Lands Authority.

(4) Upon request, the competent authority shall

issue a certificate which indicates the status of a particular

site on the payment of such fee as may be prescribed.";

(d) in sub-regulation (6) as renumbered thereof, the

words "In respect of any site within a special conservation area,"

shall be substituted by the words "In respect of any site within a

special area of conservation or a special protection area"; and

(e) in sub-regulation (7) thereof the words "of more than

one property" shall be substituted by the words "or more than

one property.".

12. Immediately after regulation 17 of the principal regulations Introduces a

there shall be added the following new regulation 17A

17A. (1) The competent authority may issue a

protection notice in the Gazette to notify the public about

the protection of a site for the conservation or protection

of the environment through the protection of particular

habitats, species or categories thereof, as well as other

natural features within the site concerned.

(2) The protection notice shall be published in the

Gazette and on the competent authority’s website and shall

be valid for a definite or indefinite period, as stipulated in

the protection notice itself.

(3) The protection notice may contain any

condition or provision, as the competent authority may

deem necessary, to ensure the conservation of the habitat,

species, category or feature for which the notice was

issued or to ensure that no further deterioration of such

habitats, species or features occurs. Such conditions may

include the control and eradication of invasive species,

prohibitions on the carrying out of any activity and, or

works in the concerned site.

(4) Any land owner who feels aggrieved by the

issuance of a protection notice by the Authority, may

appeal to the Tribunal for a revocation or modification of

the concerned protection notice in accordance to the

provisions of the Act.".

13. Regulation 18 of the principal regulations shall be amended

as follows

(a) sub-regulation (1) thereof shall be substituted by the

following

"(1) Without prejudice to the provisions of the

Conservation of Wild Birds Regulations, no person shall

carry out in any site within a SAC or SPA, any operation or

activity, unless the operation or activity is carried out, or

caused or permitted to be carried out, by the owner or

occupier of the site and one of them has given the

competent authority written notice of a proposal to carry

out the operation or activity, specifying its nature and the

site on which it is proposed to carry it out and such

proposal has been approved by the competent authority.";

and

(b) in sub-regulation (3) thereof the words "SAC" shall

be substituted by the words "SAC or SPA".

14. Sub-regulation (1) of regulation 24 of the principal

regulations shall be substituted by the following

"(1) No person shall deliberately pick, collect, cut, uproot,

destroy or damage in any way any specimen of species of flora

listed in Schedules V(b) and VI(b), or in any way create adverse

conditions which could affect such specimens.".

15. Paragraph (a) of sub-regulation (1) of regulation 25 of the

principal regulations shall be substituted by the following

"(a) no person shall pursue, take or attempt to take,

deliberately capture, kill or attempt to kill, deliberately destroy,

keep, transport, by any method sell, buy, exchange, offer for sale

or for exchange, import or export any specimens of species listed

in the Schedules V(a) and VI(a), expect for those taken legally

before their inclusion in the Schedules, and unless he is in

possession of a prior official permit from the competent

authority.".

16. In sub-regulation (1) of regulation 26 of the principal

regulations, in the Maltese version only, the words "fl-Iskeda Xi" shall

be substituted by the words "fl-Iskeda X".

17. Immediately after regulation 26 of the principal regulations

there shall be added the following new regulation

(1) When the competent authority is of the

opinion that a species has an unfavourable conservation

status or has a conservation status trend which is in

decline, the competent authority may issue a species

protection notice and may take further steps for the

protection of such species as it deems necessary. The

notice shall be valid for a definite or indefinite period, as

stipulated in the species protection notice itself.

(2) Species protection notice made under this

regulation may contain such conditions or other

provisions as the competent authority may deem

necessary or expedient for the protection of the species,

which may include prohibitions on the carrying out

activities and, or works which may potentially cause

harm. The competent authority shall publish the details of

such species protection notice in the Gazette and on the

competent authority’s website.".

18. Regulation 27 of the principal regulations shall be amended regulation 27 of

as follows

(a) in sub-regulation (2) thereof, paragraphs (a) to (h)

shall be renumbered as paragraphs (b) to (i) respectively;

(b)

immediately before paragraph (b) thereof as

renumbered, there shall be added the following new paragraph

"(a) issuance of the protection notice referred to in

regulation 17A and species protection notice in regulation

26A;".

19. Regulation 28 of the principal regulations shall be amended Amends

as follows

(a) in sub-regulation (3) thereof the words "publish a list

of those species that are invasive or deemed to be invasive to

Malta." shall be substituted by the words "publish a list of those

species that are invasive or deemed to be invasive to Malta,

known as the list of species which are detrimental to the

environment.";

(b) sub-regulation (4) thereof shall be substituted by the

following

(4)

Without prejudice to the Trade in Species of S.L. 549.38.

Fauna and Flora Regulations, no person shall import,

transport, keep, breed, propagate, sow, plant, sell or

exchange by any method, any of the species in the list

mentioned in sub-regulation (3).";

(c) sub-regulations (6) and (7) thereof shall

be

renumbered as sub-regulations (10) and (11) respectively;

(d) immediately after sub-regulation (5) thereof there

shall be added the following new sub-regulations

"(6) The competent authority may, within such time

as it determines, order any owner or occupier of a site in

which invasive species are sited to remove, uproot,

eradicate, kill or destroy any such specimen, where such

removal would, in the authority’s opinion, constitute an

environmental improvement.

(7) The competent authority may request or issue a

works method statement to ensure that an order issued

under sub-regulation (6) is executed with minimal damage

to biodiversity or to the surrounding environment.

(8) The competent authority may implement the

required intervention, in part or in full, as it deems most

appropriate, at the expense of the person who fails to

comply with an order issued under sub-regulation (6).

(9) If the owner or occupier of the site where

invasive species are located is unknown, the competent

authority may publish the order in the Gazette and may

implement the required intervention at its own expense

after ninety (90) days from the publication of the order,

without prejudice to its right to reclaim any expenses due in

terms of sub-regulation (8) once such person is identified

Provided that, in instances which require

immediate action, the competent authority may implement

the required intervention, in part or in full, as it deems most

appropriate, without prejudice to its right to reclaim any

expenses incurred once such person is identified.".

20. Regulation 31 of the principal regulations shall be amended

as follows

(a) sub-regulation (1) thereof shall be substituted by the

following

"(1) It shall be prohibited to use any indiscriminate

means and forms of capture capable of causing the local

disappearance of, or serious disturbance to

(i) populations of species listed in Schedule

VII(a); or

(ii) populations of mammals listed under

Schedule VI(a); or

(iii) populations of species listed in Schedule

V(a), in cases where derogations are issued for the

taking, capture or killing of such species.".

(b) in sub-regulation (2) thereof the words "Schedule XII

(a)" shall be substituted by the words "Schedule XI(a)"; and

(c) in sub-regulation (3) thereof the words "Schedule XII

(b)" shall be substituted by the words "Schedule XI(b)".

21. In sub-regulation (e) of regulation 44 of the principal Amends

regulations thereof the words "Schedules IV(a) and V(a)" shall be regulation

the principal

substituted by the words "Schedules V and VI."

regulations.

22. Regulation 49 of the principal regulations shall be amended Amends

regulation 49 of

the principal

regulations.

(a) sub-regulations (3) to (9) thereof shall be renumbered

as (5) to (11) respectively;

(b) immediately after sub-regulation (2) thereof there

shall be added the following new sub-regulations

"(3) Any person who commits, or attempts to

commit an offence against regulations 17A, 18 or 26A, or

fails to observe the provisions laid down in a conservation

order shall, on conviction, be liable

(a) in the case of a first offence, a fine (multa)

of not less than five hundred euro (€500), but not

exceeding five thousand euro (€5,000);

(b) in the case of a second or subsequent

offence, a fine (multa) of not less than one thousand

euro (€1,000), but not exceeding twenty thousand

euro (€20,000), or imprisonment for a period not

exceeding two years, or both such fine and

imprisonment.

(4) Any person who commits, or attempts to

commit an offence against regulation 31 shall, on

conviction, be liable

(a) in the case of a first offence, a fine (multa)

of not less than five hundred euro (€500), but not

exceeding five thousand euro (€2,500);

(b) in the case of a second or subsequent

offence, a fine (multa) of not less than one thousand

euro (€1,000), but not exceeding five thousand euro

(€5,000), or imprisonment for a period not exceeding

two years, or both such fine and imprisonment."; and

(c) sub-regulation (6) thereof as renumbered, shall be

substituted by the following

"(6) Any person who commits or attempts to commit

an offence against any provision in a management plan

shall on conviction be liable to a fine (multa) of not less

than two thousand five hundred euro (€2,500) and not

exceeding sixty thousand euro (€60,000), and if the

offender persists in the offence for more than three (3)

months, also to imprisonment for a term of not less than

three (3) months and not exceeding two (2) years.".

23. The species listed under the title ‘MAGNOLIOPHYTA’ of

Schedule III of the principal regulations shall be substituted by the

following

Allium lojaconoi Brullo,

Lanfranco et Pavone [=

Maltese Dwarf

Tewm Irqiq ta’ Malta

Allium parciflorum auct. fl.

Garlic

Melit non Viviani]

Anacardiaceae

Botna; Skornabekk; Siġra tat-

Terebinth;

Pistacia terebinthus L

Turpentina; Trementina;

Turpentine Tree

Siġra tal-Fosdoq; it-Terebintu

Rhus coriaria L.

Xumakk tal-Konz

Common Sumach

Fool’s Water

Apium nodiflorum (L.)

Karfus tal-Ilma; Xaħmet il-

Cress; Procumbent

Lagasca

Ġwieri

Marshwort

Mediterranean

Water Dropwort;

Oenanthe globulosa L. s.l.

Karfus il-wied

Round-headed

Water Dropwort

Asteraceae (= Compositae)

Otanthus maritimus (L.)

Hoffmannsegg et Link [=

Santolina tar-Ramel; Bajda

Cottonweed; Sea

tar-Ramel

Cudweed

Diotis candidissima

Desfontaines

Matricaria aurea (Loefling)

Schultz Bipontinus

[= Chamomilla aurea

Kamumilla Nana

Rayless Mayweed

(Loefling) Gay ex Coss. et

Kralik]

Brassicaceae (= Cruciferae)

Nasturtium officinale W.T.

Krexxuni; Sija

Water cress

Aiton

Matthiola incana (L.) R.

Brown subsp. melitensis

Ġiżi ta’ Malta

Maltese Stocks

Brullo, Lanfranco, Pavone et

Ronsisvalle

Cistaceae

Cistus spp.

Borgħom; Ċisti

Rock-Roses

Convolvulaceae

Olive-Leaved

Convolvulus oleifolius

Leblieb tal-Irdum

Desrousseaux s.l.

Bindweed

Cymodoceaceae

Cymodocea nodosa (Ucria)

Lesser Neptune-

Ascherson [= Zostera nodosa

Alka Rqiqa; Ċimodoċja

Grass

Ucria]

Cyperaceae

Bolboschoenus maritimus

Sea Club Rush,

(L.) Palla [= Scirpus

Simar tal-Boqgħa

Alkali Bulrush

maritimus L.]

Carex divulsa Stokes

Grey Sedge;

[= Vignea divulsa (Stokes)

Sogħda Mifruda

Prickly Sedge;

Rchb.]

Grassland Sedge

Long-bracted

Carex extensa Goodenough

Sogħda tal-Baħar

Sedge

Carex cuprina (Heuff.) A.

Kern

Sogħda Kompatta

False Fox Sedge

[= Carex otrubae Podp.]

Carex halleriana Asso

Sogħda tal-Makkja

Southern Sedge

Sogħda Kbira; Sogħda tat-

Carex hispida Willdenow

Hispid Sedge

Tafal

Cyperus fuscus L. s.l.

Bordi Żgħir

Brown Galingale

Cyperus longus L. s.l.

Sweet Cyperus;

[=Chlorocyperus longus (L.)

Bordi tal-Wied

Compact

Palla s.l.; Pucreus longus (L.)

Galingale

Hayek s.l.]

Eleocharis ovata (Roth.)

Southern Spike

Simar tal-Wardija

Roemer & Schultz

Rush

Common Spike

Eleocharis palustris (L.)

Simar tat-Toppu

Rush, Pale Spike

Roemer & Schultz

Rush

Isolepis cernua (Vahl)

Simar Irqiq

Slender Club Rush

Roemer & Schultz

Juncellus distachyos (Allioni)

Rush Galingale;

Turrill

Bordi Iswed

Mediterranean

[= Cyperus distachyos

Galingale

Allioni]

Schoenus nigricans L.

Simar Iswed

Black Bog Rush

Ericaceae

Erika; Issopu; Savina;

Mediterranean

Erica multiflora L.

Sagħtar Aħmar; Leħjet ix-Xiħ

Heath

Euphorbiaceae

Euphorbia dendroides L.

Tengħud tas-Siġra

Tree Spurge

Euphorbia melitensis

Parlatore

[= Euphorbia spinosa auct. fl.

Tengħud tax-Xagħri

Maltese Spurge

Melit. non L.; = Euphorbia

bivonae auct. fl. Melit. non

Steudel]

Euphorbia paralias L

Tengħud tar-Ramel

Sea Spurge

Euphorbia terracina L.

Tengħud tax-Xatt

Coast Spurge

Fabaceae (= Leguminosae)

Anagyris foetida L.

Fula tal-Klieb

Bean Trefoil Tree

Shrubby Kidney-

Anthyllis hermanniae L. s.l.

Ħatba s-Sewda

Vetch

Lotus halophilus Boissier et

Għantux tar-Ramel

Sand Restharrow

Spruner

Iridaceae

Southern Dwarf

Iris pseudopumila Tineo

Bellus

Iris

Iris sicula Todaro

Fjurdulis Sqalli

Sicilian Iris

Juncaceae

Sharp-Pointed

Juncus acutus L

Simar il-Lixx

Rush

Jointed Rush,

Juncus articulatus L.

Simar

Joint-Leaf Rush

Juncus maritimus Lamarck

Simar tal-Baħar

Sea Rush

Lamiaceae (= Labiatae)

Origanum dictamnus L.

Riegnu ta’ Ġnien il-Kbir

Cretan Dittany

Teucrium scordioides

Schreber

[= T. scordium L. subsp.

Borgħom tal-Ilma

Water Germander

scordioides (Schreb.)

Arcangeli]

Thymus capitatus L.

[= Thymbra capitata (L.)

Mediterranean

Cavanilles; Coridothymus

Sagħtar

Thyme

capitatus (L.)Reichenbach

fil.]

Liliaceae

Tulipa australis Link

[= Tulipa sylvestris auct.

Tulipan Selvaġġ

Wild Tulip

Melit. non L.]

Orchidaceae

Ophrys fuciflora (F.W.

Schmidt) Moench s.l.

Brimba

Late Spider Orchid

[=Ophrys holosericea auct. fl.

Melit. non (Burm.) Greuter]

Ophrys lacaitae Lojacono

Yellow Spider

[= O.oxyrrhynchos subsp.

Brimba Safra

Orchid; Lacaita’s

lacaitae (Lojacono) Del

Spider Orchid

Prete]

Ophrys tenthredinifera

Willdenow s.l. [= Ophrys

Naħla Kbira

Sawfly Orchid

tenoreana Lindley s.l.]

Ophrys oxyrrhynchos

Todaro [= Ophrys fuciflora

Beaked Spider

Brimba ta’ Sqallija

subsp. oxyrrhynchos (Todaro)

Orchid

Soó]

Plumbaginaceae

Limonium melitense Brullo [= Leħjet ix-Xiħ; Limonju

Maltese Sea-

Statice cosyrensis auct. fl.

ta’Malta

Lavender

Melit. non Gussone]

Limonium narbonense Miller

Narbonne’s Sea-

Selq tal-Blat; Limonju l-Kbir

[= Limonium serotinum

Lavender

(Reichenbach) Pignatti s.l.]

Limonium zeraphae Brullo [=

Leħjet ix-Xiħ; Limonju ta’

Zerafa’s Sea-

Statice reticulata auct. fl.

Żerafa

Lavender

Melit. non L.]

Poaceae

Ampelodesma mauritanica

(Poiret) Durand et Schinz

Dis

Diss

[= Ampelodesma tenax Link]

Crypsis schoenoides (L.)

Kripsi tal-Ilma; Kripsi ta'

Swamp

Lamarck

Għawdex

Picklegrass

[= Phleum schoenoides L.]

Purple Canary

Phalaris coerulescens

Skalora tal-Ilma

Grass; Blue

Desfontaines

Canary Grass

Posidoniaceae

Posidonia oceanica (L.)

Alka; Posidonja

Neptune-Grass

Delile

Ranunculaceae

Ranunculus bulbosus L. s.l.

Ċfolloq tal-Werqa

Bulbous Buttercup

Rhamnaceae

Xewk tal-Kuruna; Xewk ta’

Paliurus spina-christi Miller

Christ’s Thorn

Kristu

Rosaceae

Rosa sempervirens L.

Girlanda tal-Wied

Evergreen Rose

Sarcopoterium spinosum (L.)

Spach [= Poterium spinosum

Tursin il-Għul Xewwiek

Thorny Burnet

L.]

Salicaceae

Salix alba L.

Żafżafa; Żafżafa Kbira

White Willow

Mediterranean

Salix pedicellata

Żafżafa ż-żgħira

Desfontaines

Willow

Scrophulariaceae

Water Figwort;

Fiswet il-Kelb tal-Ilma;

Water Betony;

Scrophularia auriculata L.

Werqet il-Madonna

Bishop's Leaves

Solanaceae

Boxthorns; Tea-

Lycium spp.

Għawseġ

Trees

Ulmaceae

Ulmus canescens Melville [=

Ulmus minor Miller subsp.

Nemmiesa; Siġra tan-Nemus;

Hoary Elm; Grey-

Canescens (Melville) K.

Ulmu

Leaved Elm

Browicz & J. Zielinski]

Zannichelliaceae

Zannichellia melitensis

Brullo,

Giusso et Lanfranco [=

Zannichellia palustris auct. fl.

Maltese Horned-

Ħarira tal-Ilma

Melit. non L.; = Z.

Pondweed

pedunculata

auct. fl. Melit. non Rehb. in

Mössler]

Zosteraceae

Eel-Grass; Grass-

Zostera marina L.

Alka tas-Salini; Żostera

Wrack

Zostera noltii Hornemann [=

Alka tal-Pwales; Żostera

Slender Eel-Grass

Zostera nana Roth]

Nana

".

24. Schedule IV of the principal regulations shall be substituted

by the following

"SCHEDULE IV

CRITERIA FOR SELECTING SITES ELIGIBLE FOR

IDENTIFICATION AS SITES OF NATIONAL IMPORTANCE

AND OF INTERNATIONAL IMPORTANCE AND

DESIGNATION AS SPECIAL AREAS OF CONSERVATION

STAGE 1: Assessment at national level of the relative importance of

sites for each natural habitat type in Schedule I and each

species in Schedule II or III (including priority natural

habitat types and priority species).

site assessment criteria for a given natural habitat type in

Schedule I

(a)

Degree of representativity of the natural habitat type

on the site.

(b)

Area of the site covered by the natural habitat type in

relation to the total area covered by that natural

habitat type within Malta.

(c)

Degree of conservation of the structure and functions

of the natural habitat type concerned and restoration

possibilities.

(d)

Global assessment of the value of the site for

conservation of the natural habitat type concerned.

Site assessment criteria for a given species in Schedule II

(a)

Size and density of the population of the species

present on the site in relation to the populations

present within Malta.

(b)

Degree of conservation of the features of the habitat,

which are important for the species concerned, and

restoration possibilities.

(c)

Degree of isolation of the population present on the

site in relation to the natural range of the species.

(d)

Global assessment of the value of the site for

conservation of the species concerned.

Site assessment criteria for a given species in Schedule III

shall be the internationally recognised threat status of such

species.

On the basis of these criteria, the competent authority will

classify the sites, which it proposed on the national list as

sites eligible for identification as sites of National

Importance and of International Importance according to

their relative value for the conservation of each natural

habitat type in Schedule I or each species in Schedule II or

III.

That list will show the sites containing the priority natural

habitat types and priority species selected by the competent

authority on the basis of the criteria in A and B above.

STAGE 2: Assessment of the national and international importance of

the sites included on the national lists.

1. All the sites identified by the competent authority in Stage

1, which contain priority natural habitat types, and/or

species will be considered as sites of National Importance

and of International Importance.

2. The assessment of the national and international importance

of other sites, i.e. their contribution to maintaining or re-

establishing, at a favourable conservation status, a natural

habitat in Schedule I or a species in Schedule II or III and/or

to the coherence of the National Ecological Network and

the Pan-European Ecological Network will take account of

the following criteria

(a)

relative value of the site at national level;

(b)

geographical situation of the site in relation to

migration routes of species in Schedule II and III;

(c)

total area of the site;

(d)

number of natural habitat types in Schedule I and

species in Schedule II or III present on the site;

(e)

global ecological value of the site for the

biogeographical regions concerned, as regards both

the characteristic of unique aspect of its features and

the way they are combined.".

25. Schedule VI of the principal regulations shall be amended

as follows

(a) under the title ‘RAJIFORMES’ immediately after the

species Dipturus batis, there shall be added the following new species

"

Raja

Sandy Ray; Sandy Skate

Leucoraja circularis

(= Raja circularis)

";

(b) under the title ‘CNIDARIA’ the species thereunder shall be

substituted by the following

"

Qroll

Black Coral

Antipathella subpinnata

Antipathes spp.

Qroll l-iswed

Black Coral

Qroll tad-Dell

Star Coral

Astroides calycularis

Sawt il-Baħar

Soft Coral

Callogorgia verticillata

Qroll Abjad

Stone Coral; White

Cladocora caespitosa

Coral

Qroll Abjad

Thin Tube Coral

Cladocora debilis

Qroll Aħmar

Precious Coral,

Corallium rubrum

Sardinian Coral; Red

Coral

Qroll Isfar tal-Fond

Yellow Tree Coral

Dendrophyllia cornigera

Qroll Oranġjo tal-Fond

Yellow Coral

Dendrophyllia ramea

Trumbetta tal-Fond

Cockscomb Cup Coral

Desmophyllum dianthus

Eliżella; Gorgonja Kbira

Candelabrum Coral

Ellisella paraplexauroides

Errina

Hydrocoral;

Errina aspera

Errina; Stylasterid Coral

Qroll Falz

False Coral

Hornera lichenoides

Imrewħa tal-Fond

Bamboo Coral

Isidella elongata

Qroll il-Glabru

Smooth Black Coral

Leiopathes glaberrima

Lofelja; Qroll tal-Fond

Deep Water Coral

Lophelia pertusa

Madripora tal-Għajn;

Zigzag Coral

Madrepora oculata

Qroll tal-Fond

Abit tal-Baħar; Qroll

Black Coral

Parantipathes larix

l-Iswed

Qroll Iswed il-Falz

False Black Coral"

Savalia savaglia

[=Gerardia savaglia]

";

(c) under the title ‘LEPIDOPTERA’ the species thereunder

shall be substituted by the following

"

Lasiocampidae

Werqa Niexfa

Lappet Moth

Gastropacha quercifolia

Baħrija tal-Ballut

Oak Eggar

Lasiocampa quercus

Noctuidae

Katokala Rari, Baħrija tal-

Red Underwing

Catocala conjuncta

Luq

Elokata

Red Underwing

Catocala elocata

Katokala Safra Kbira,

Oak Yellow Underwing

Catocala nymphaea

Baħrija tal-Luq

Katokala Safra Żgħira,

Oak Yellow Underwing

Catocala nymphagoga

Baħrija tal-Luq

Sphingidae

All species

Hesperiidae

Il-Baħri

Pygmy Skipper

Gegenes pumilio

Lycaenidae

Kannelli tal-Anġlu

Brown Argus

Aricia agestis

Bright Babul Blue

Azanus ubaldus

Ikħal Fiddieni

Holly Blue

Celastrina argiolus

Ikħal tad-Denb Twil

Long-tailed Blue

Lampides boeticus

Leptotes pirithous

Ikħal tad-Denb Qasir

Lang’s Short-tailed blue

(= Papilio plinius,

Syntarucus pirithous)

Farfett tas-Selq

Small Copper

Lycaena phlaeas

Silver-studded Blue

Plebejus argus

Farfett tal-Anġlu

Southern Common Blue

Polyommatus celina

Farfett tal-Anġlu

Common Blue

Polyommatus icarus

Farfett tal-Anġlu

Chapman Blue

Polyommatus thersites

Ikħal tal-Afrika

Dark Grass Blue

Zizeeria karsandra

Nymphalidae

Coenonympha lyllus (= C.

Kannella Żgħir

Esper’s Heath

pamphilus lyllus)

Kannella Żgħir

Small Heath

Coenonympha pamphilus

Hipparchia blachieri

Sicilian Grayling

(= H. algirica vallettai, H.

aristeus blachieri)

Kannella tax-Xemx

Wall Brown

Lasiommata megera

Kannella Kbir

Meadow Brown

Maniola jurtina

Large Tortoiseshell;

Nymphalis polychloros

Blackleg Tortoiseshell

Kannella tad-Dell

Speckled Wood

Parage aegeria

Southern Comma

Polygonia egea

Papilionidae

Scarce Swallowtail; Sail

Farfett

Swallotail; Pear Tree

Iphiclides podalirius

Swallowtail

Farfett

Sahara Swallowtail

Papilio saharae

Pieridae

Farett tas-Silla

Clouded Yellow

Colias croceus

Farfett taż-Żiju

Cleopatra

Gonepteryx cleopatra

Tineidae

Baħrija tal-Faqqiegħ

Large Cloths Moth

Morophaga choragella

";

(d) under the title RHODOPHYTA, immediately before

the species ‘Titanoderma trochanter’, there shall be added the

following new species

"

Alga Ħamra

Red Alga

Sphaerococcus

rhizophylloides

J.J.Rodríguez y Femenías

";

(e) immediately under the title ‘AMARYLLIDACEAE’

there shall be added the following

Allium commutatum

Kurrat Selvaġġ

Wild Leek; Sea Garlic

Gussone

";

(f) under the title ‘ORCHIDACEAE’ the species

thereunder shall be substituted by the following

Anacamptis longicornu

(Poiret) Bateman, Pridgeon

Orkida tal-Qarn Twil;

Horned Orchid;

et Chase

Orkida tal-Qrun

Long-Spurred Orchid

[= Orchis longicornu Poiret]

Anacamptis morio (L.)

Bateman, Pridgeon et Chase

Orkida tal-Elmu

Green Winged Orchid

s.str.

[=Orchis morio L. s.str.]

Anacamptis sect. Moriones

Orkidi tal-Elmu

Winged Orchids

Anacamptis papilionacea

(L.) Bateman, Pridgeon et

Chase s.l.

Farfett

Butterfly Orchid

[= Orchis papilionacea L.

Himantoglossum

robertianum (Loiseleur)

Delforge

Orkida Kbira

Giant Orchid

[= Barlia robertiana

(Loiseleur) Greuter]

Neotinea commutata (Tod.)

R.M.Bateman

[= Orchis commutata Tod.;

Orkida tat-Tikek

Sicilian Milky Orchid

Neotinea tridentata subsp.

commutata (Tod.)

R.M.Bateman, Pridgeon et

M.W.Chase]

Neotinea conica

[=Orchis conica

Willdenow; O. pusilla

Orkida tat-Tikek

Conical Milky Orchid

Tyteca; Neotinea tridentata

subsp. conica (Willdenow)

Bateman, Pridgeon et

Chase]

Neotinea lactea (Poiret)

Bateman

Orkida tat-Tikek

Spotted Milky Orchid

[=Orchis lactea Poiret; O.

acuminata Desfontaines]

Neotinea maculata

(Desfontaines) Stearn

Orkida Rqiqa; Orkida

Dense-Flowered Orchid

[= Orchis intacta Link;

tal-Weraq Imtebba’

Neotinea intacta (Link)

Rchb. fil.]

Neotinea tridentata

(Scopoli) R.M.Bateman,

Pridgeon et M.W.Chase s.l.

Orkida tat-Tikek

Milky Orchid

[= Orchis tridentata

Scopoli; O. variegata

Allioni;]

Neottia nidus-avis (L.)

Bejtet l-Għasfur; Budebbus

L.C.M.Richard

Birdsnest Orchid

Falz

[= Ophrys nidus-avis L.]

Ophrys apifera Hudson

Naħla

Bee Orchid

[= Ophrys arachnites

Miller]

Ophrys Sect. Bertoloniorum

Dubbiena ta’ Bertoloni

Bertoloni’s Bee Orchid

Ophrys bertolonii Moretti

Dubbiena ta’ Bertoloni

Bertoloni’s Bee Orchid

s.str.

Ophrys caesiella Delforge

[= Ophrys fusca subsp.

Dubbiena Żgħira ta‘ Malta;

Small Maltese Brown

caesiella (Delforge) Kreutz;

Dubbiena tat-Tikek

Orchid

O. bilunulata subsp.

caesiella (Delforge) Paulus

Ophrys calliantha Bartolo et

Pulvirenti

[= Ophrys candida subsp.

calliantha (Bartolo et

Sicilian Beaked Spider

Brimba Mlewna ta’ Sqallija

Pulvirenti) Kreutz; Ophrys

Orchid

oxyrrhnchos subsp.

calliantha (Bartolo et

Pulvirenti) Galesi, Cristaudo

et Maugeri]

Ophrys explanata

(Lojacono) Delforge

Sicilian Bertoloni‘s Bee

Dubbiena ta’ Sqallija

Orchid

[= Ophrys bertolonii subsp.

explanata (Lojacono) Soca]

Ophrys fuciflora s.l. (F.W.

Schmidt) Moench

Brimba

Late Spider Orchid

[= Ophrys holosericea s.l.

auct. fl. Melit. non (Burm.)

Greuter

Brown Orchids; Sombre

Ophrys fusca Link s.l.

Dubbien

Bee Orchids

Ophrys garganica E.

Nelson ex O. Danesch et E.

Danesch

[= Ophrys incubacea subsp.

garganica (E. Nelson ex O.

Brimba tal-Ġwienaħ

Gargano Spider Orchid

Danesch et E. Danesch)

Safrana

Galesi, Cristaudo et

Maugeri; O. passionis

subsp. garganica E. Nelson

ex H. Baumann et R.

Lorenz]

Ophrys xgaulosana Mifsud

Dubbiena ta’ Għawdex

Gozo Spider Orchid

[= Ophrys melitensis x

tenthredinifera]

Ophrys glabra Persoon

Maghrebian Yellow Bee

Żunżana tal-Magħreb

[= Ophrys lutea subsp. lutea

Orchid

Cavanilles]

Ophrys grandiflora Tenore

[= Ophrys tenthredinifera

Naħla Kbira ta’ Sqallija

Sicilian Sawfly Orchid

subsp. grandiflora (Tenore)

Kreutz

Ophrys hospitalis Delforge

Dubbiena tal-Kavallieri;

Hospitallier Rainbow Bee

[= Ophrys iricolor subsp.

Dubbiena Bikrija

Orchid

hospitalis (Delforge) Mifsud

et Lewis]

Ophrys incubacea Bianca

[= Ophrys atrata Lindl.; O.

Brimba tal-Ġwienaħ

Bianca’s Spider Orchid

sphegodes subsp. atrata

(Rchb. fil) Bolòs]

Ophrys iricolor

Desfontaines s.l.

Dubbien

Blue Orchids

[= Ophrys fusca subsp.

iricolor (Desfontaines)

Richter s.l.]

Ophrys lacaitae Lojacono

Yellow Spider Orchid;

[= Ophrys oxyrrhynchos

Brimba Safra

Lacaita‘s Spider Orchid

subsp. lacaitae (Lojacono)

Del Prete]

Ophrys lojaconoi Delforge

Lojacono’s Rainbow Bee

Dubbiena ta’ Lojacono

[= Ophrys iricolor subsp.

Orchid

lojaconoi (Delforge) Kreutz]

Ophrys lucifera

Devillers-Terschuren et

Devillers

Dubbiena tar-Rebbiegħa

Brown Orchid

[= Ophrys fusca subsp.

lucifera (Devillers-Tersch.

et Devillers) Kreutz]

Ophrys lupercalis Devillers-

Terschuren et Devillers

Lupercalia Rainbow Bee

[= Ophrys fusca subsp.

Dubbiena tal-Luperkalja

Orchid

lupercalis (Devillers-

Terschuren et Devillers)

Kreutz]

Ophrys lutea Cavanilles

s.str.

Żunżana l-Kbira

Yellow Bee Orchid

[= Ophrys vespifera

Brotero]

Ophrys mesaritica (Paulus,

C. Alibertis et A. Alibertis)

Kreutz

Dubbiena Bikrija

Cretan Rainbow Bee Orchid

[= Ophrys iricolor subsp.

mesaritica Paulus, C.

Alibertis et A. Alibertis]

Ophrys oxyrrhynchos

Todaro

Brimba ta‘ Sqallija

Beaked Spider Orchid

[= Ophrys fuciflora subsp.

oxyrrhynchos (Todaro) Soó

Ophrys pallida Rafinesque

Pale Green Orchid;

[= Ophrys fusca subsp.

Dubbiena Milwija

Reflexed Brown Orchid

pallida (Rafinesque) EG

Camus; O. pectus Mutel]

Ophrys passionis Sennen s.l.

[= O. garganica subsp.

Brimba tal-Ġwienaħ

Easter Spider Orchid;

passionis (Sennen ex

Safrana

Passion Spider Orchid

Devillers-Tersch. &

Devillers) Paulus & Gack

Ophrys phryganae

Devillers-Terschuren et

Devillers

Żunżana tal-Lvant

Eastern Yellow Bee Orchid

[= Ophrys lutea subsp.

phryganae (Devillers-

Terschuren et Devillers)

Melki]

Ophyrs Sect. Pseudophrys

Dubbien; Żunżan

Bee Orchids

Ophrys romolinii Soca

[= Ophrys bertolonii

Dubbiena ta’ Romolini

Romolini‘s Bee Orchid

subsp. romolinii (Soca)

Véla et R.Martin]

Ophrys sicula Tineo

[= Ophrys minor (Todaro)

Paulus et Gack; O. lutea

Żunżana ż-Żgħira

Sicilian Yellow Bee Orchid

subsp. minor (Todaro) O

Danesch et E Danesch; O.

lutea subsp. sicula (Tineo)

Soldano]

Ophrys speculum Link

Mirror Orchid; Mirror of

Dubbiena l-kaħla

[= Ophrys ciliata

Venus

Bivona-Bernardi]

Ophrys sphegodes Miller s.l.

Brimba

Spider Orchid

[= Ophrys aranifera

Hudson s.l.]

Ophrys tenthredinifera

Willdenow s.str.

Naħla Kbira

Sawfly Orchid

[= Ophrys tenoreana

Lindley s.l.]

Ophrys xtumentia Mifsud

Swollen-Chest Brown Bee

Dubbiena ta’ Sidirha Kbir

[= Ophrys caesiella x

Orchid

iricolor]

Ophrys vallesiana Deviller-

Terschuren et Devillers

[= Ophrys iricolor subsp.

Dubbiena ta’ Tuneż

Vallès Rainbow Bee Orchid

vallesiana (Devillers-

Terschuren et Devillers)

Paulus et Gack]

Orchis italica Poiret

Ħajja u Mejta tal-Werqa

[= Orchis longicruris Link;

Fdewxa; Orkida tal-Weraq

Naked-Man Orchid

Fdewxa

O. undulatifolia

Bivona-Bernardi]

Serapias bergonii E.G.

Camus

Orkida tal-Ilsien tal-Lvant

Eastern Ploughshare

[= Serapias vomeracea

subsp. laxiflora (Soó) Gölz

et Reinhard]

Serapias cordigera L.

Heart-Flowered Tongue

Orkida tal-Qalb

[= Serapias ovalis LCM

Orchid

Richard]

Serapias lingua L.

Tongue Orchid; Tongue

Orkida tal-Ilsien

[= Serapias columnae

Serapias

(Rchb. Fil.) Lojacono]

Serapias orientalis

(Greuter) Baumann et

Künkele

Orkida tal-Ilsien tal-Lvant

Oriental Tongue Orchid

[= Serapias vomeracea

subsp. orientalis Greuter]

Serapias vomeracea

(Burmann fil.) Briquet

Ploughshare; Long-Lipped

Orkida tal-Ilsien Kbir

[= Orchis vomeracea

Tongue Orchid

Burmann fil.; Serapias

longipetala (Tenore) Pollini]

Spiranthes spiralis (L.)

Autumn Lady’s Tresses

Chevallier [= Spiranthes

Il-Ħajja u Mejta tal-Ħarifa

autumnalis LCM Richard]

".

26. In Schedule VII of the regulations under the title Amends

‘CRUSTACEA – DECAPODA’ the name ‘Scillarides latus’ shall be Schedule

the principal

substituted by the name ‘Scyllarides latus’.

regulations.

Schedule VIII of the principal regulations shall be amended Amends

Schedule VIII of

as follows

the principal

regulations.

(a) immediately under the title ‘Alopiidae’ there shall be

added the following species

"

Pixxivolpi ta’ Għajnu

Bigeye Thresher Shark

Alopias superciliosus

Kbira

";

(b) under the title ‘Carcharhinididae’ there shall be added

the following species

"

Kelb il-Baħar Sewdieni

Dusky Shark

Carcharhinus obscurus

"; and

(c) under the title ‘CRUSTACEA’ the following species

shall be deleted

"

Ċkala; Ċkala Ħamra

Flat Lobster; European

Scyllarus latus

Paddle-Nosed Lobster

[= Scyllarides latus]

".

Schedule XI of the principal regulations shall be deleted.

Deletes of

Schedule XI of

the principal

regulations.

Schedule XII of the principal regulations shall be amended Amends

Schedule XII of

as follows

the principal

regulations.

(a)

Schedule XII shall be renumbered as Schedule XI;

and

(b) the words "SCHEDULE IX(a)" and "Schedule IX(b)"

shall be substituted by the words "SCHEDULE XI(a)" and

"Schedule XI(b)" respectively.

€2.52