Numerous species of wild flora and fauna are being seriously depleted and that some of them are threatened with extinction.
Article 2 of the [Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats] (Bern 1979) requires the contracting parties to take requisite measures to maintain the population of wild flora and fauna at, or adapt it to, a level which corresponds in particular to ecological, scientific and cultural requirements, while taking account of economic and recreational requirements and the needs of sub-species, varieties or forms at risk locally.