Infringement procedure in connection with the Birds Directive

Question for written answer  E-001547/2024
to the Commission
Rule 144
Dirk Gotink (PPE)

On 25 July 2024 the Netherlands received a letter of formal notice from the Commission for failure to comply with its obligations under the Birds Directive (Directive 2009/147/EC). The Commission has not made the letter public, thus preventing public and parliamentary debate on it.

• 1.Which obligations does the Commission believe the Netherlands is not meeting or is inadequately meeting, and on what reports, studies or data is that based?
• 2.Can the Commission make the letter public so that it can be discussed publicly with the European Parliament, the Netherlands House of Representatives and other stakeholders and concerted efforts can be made to find a solution and if not, why not?
• 3.Why is the Commission preventing public debate on what is a highly political and topical issue, and does it not regard this as undermining confidence in European governance?

Submitted: 24.8.2024