Habitat and Bird Directives: the stress test is “an opportunity to strengthen what works” (J. Roswall)

“The stress test is not a question of whether we still believe in nature conservation. Instead, it examines whether we can achieve our nature conservation objectives in a more efficient and effective way. So let us use this stress test as an opportunity to strengthen what works and adapt what doesn't,” said Jessika Roswall, European Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy.

On 29 September 2026, she opened the conference 'The Stress Test of the Nature Directives: Next Steps for Wildlife Management', organized by FACE, the European Federation for Hunting and Conservation, in Brussels.

This stress test, announced in December 2025, is part of the wider simplification initiative to strengthen EU competitiveness while continuing to safeguard…