I was pleased to see the announcement last week that ninety sites across Wales have now been designated as Special Areas of Conservation (SACs). They vary in size and nature from mountain ranges like Snowdonia and Preseli to the Johnstown Newt sites in Wrecsam, the Sugar loaf woodlands and the Usk Bat sites in Monmouthshire. As well as being better protected than the current Sites of Special Scientific Interest, they will become part of the Europe-wide Natura 2000 network.

It is well know that bird, animal and other wildlife and marine species are in decline - some at an alarming rate - and much of Europe's biodiversity has already been lost. 64% of endemic plants, 45% of butterflies and 38% of bird species now have poor conservation status. The EU Habitats Directive recognises 480 species of plants and 226 species of animals as requiring special conservation areas to safeguard their future as well as 181 bird species listed in the Birds Directive. Important ecosystems have been put at risk which undermines any work towards sustainable development.

European government leaders recognised the need to take serious action in the Gothenburg summit in 2001. They set a target to stop the decline by 2010. To achieve this, they decided to establish a network of sites across Europe called Natura 2000 to safeguard the most rare habitats and species. It is one of the most ambitious initiatives ever launched to protect Europe's natural heritage.

There are now 18,000 Natura 2000 sites throughout Europe covering 56 million hectares of land - an area the size of Germany and Italy together - and 7.7 million marine hectares. The number is still growing. As well as promoting diversity the sites support agriculture, forestry and rural development and have real potential for the tourism industry. Before European enlargement last year it was estimated that Natura 2000 sites supported the employment of 125,000 jobs. They provide a valuable educational resource and new opportunities for economic diversification.

But the most important feature of Natura 2000 is that it puts people at the heart of the process - and in particular people living and working in our rural areas. Local people are involved in identifying and managing the sites and will, of course, continue to live and work in them. Financial assistance is available for promoting the sustainable use of the sites and their management.

Because it's not just an environmental issue. Since the Cardiff European Summit in 1998 there has been a requirement to mainstream environmental considerations into all European policy and law. This process is known throughout the European Union as the "Cardiff process".

I am currently working on a report on proposals for funding Natura 2000 in the Environment Committee in the European Parliament. Although we have been slow to identify our sites in Wales I hope that we can now take full advantage of this scheme to improve and protect our beautiful and diverse countryside and make Natura 2000 a powerful tool for increased investment in our rural areas.

Jill Evans MEP