Flora, Fauna and Natural Habitats Protection (Amendment) Regulations, 2019 (L.N. 164 of 2019)

B 1201 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: Title. S.L.549.44. 1. The title of these regulations is the Flora, Fauna and Natural Habitats Protection (Amendment) Regulations, 2019 and these regulations shall be read and construed as one with the Flora, Fauna and Natural Habitats Protection Regulations, hereinafter referred to as "the principal regulations". Amends regulation 1 of the principal regulations. 2. Regulation 1 of the principal regulations shall be amended as follows: (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. Amends regulation 2 of the principal regulations. 3. In sub-regulation 3(b) of regulation 2 of the principal regulations, the words "79/409/EEC of 2 April 1979" shall be substituted by the words "2009/147/EC of 30 November 2009". Amends regulation 3 of the principal regulations. 4. In regulation 3 of the principal regulations immediately after the definition "sustainable use" there shall be added the following new definition: Cap. 551. "Tribunal" means the Environment and Planning Review Tribunal as established in article 3 of the Environment and Planning Review Tribunal Act; " Amends regulation 9 of the principal regulations. 5. Regulation 9 of the principal regulations shall be amended as follows: (a) sub-regulation (2) thereof shall be amended as follows: VERŻJONI ELETTRONIKA B 1202 (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 propose sites of national importance in view of the ecological, geological and natural features of the site in line with the provisions of the Act.". Amends regulation 11 of the principal regulations. 6. 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.". Amends regulation 12 of the principal regulations. 7. 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, VERŻJONI ELETTRONIKA B 1203 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 30th November, 2015." shall be deleted. Amends regulation 14 of the principal regulations. 8. Sub-regulation (9) of regulation 14 of the principal regulations shall be amended as follows: (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.". Amends regulation 15 of the principal regulations. 9. Sub-regulation (1) of regulation 15 of the principal regulations shall be substituted by the following: VERŻJONI ELETTRONIKA B 1204 "(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.". Adds a new regulation to the principal regulations. 10. Immediately after regulation 15 of the principal regulations there shall be added the following new regulation: Amends regulation 17 of the principal regulations. 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."; "Additional powers. 15A. 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.". VERŻJONI ELETTRONIKA B 1205 (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.". Introduces a new regulation 17A. 12. Immediately after regulation 17 of the principal regulations there shall be added the following new regulation 17A: "Protection Notice. 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.". VERŻJONI ELETTRONIKA B 1206 Amends regulation 18 of the principal regulations. 13. Regulation 18 of the principal regulations shall be amended as follows: (a) sub-regulation (1) thereof shall be substituted by the following: S.L. 549.42. "(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". Amends regulation 24 of the principal regulations. 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.". Amends regulation 25 of the principal regulations. 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.". Amends regulation 26 of the principal regulations. 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". Adds a new regulation to the principal regulations. 17. Immediately after regulation 26 of the principal regulations VERŻJONI ELETTRONIKA B 1207 there shall be added the following new regulation : Amends regulation 27 of the principal regulations. 18. Regulation 27 of the principal regulations shall be amended 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;". Amends regulation 28 of the principal regulations 19. Regulation 28 of the principal regulations shall be amended 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: S.L. 549.38.(4) Without prejudice to the Trade in Species of "Species protection notice. 26A. (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.". VERŻJONI ELETTRONIKA B 1208 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.". Amends regulation 31 of the principal regulations. 20. Regulation 31 of the principal regulations shall be amended as follows: (a) sub-regulation (1) thereof shall be substituted by the following: VERŻJONI ELETTRONIKA B 1209 "(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)". Amends regulation 44 of the principal regulations. 21. In sub-regulation (e) of regulation 44 of the principal regulations thereof the words "Schedules IV(a) and V(a)" shall be substituted by the words "Schedules V and VI." Amends regulation 49 of the principal regulations. 22. Regulation 49 of the principal regulations shall be amended as follows: (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. VERŻJONI ELETTRONIKA B 1210 (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.". Amends Schedule III of the principal regulations. 23. The species listed under the title ‘MAGNOLIOPHYTA’ of Schedule III of the principal regulations shall be substituted by the following: " Alliaceae Allium lojaconoi Brullo, Lanfranco et Pavone [= Allium parciflorum auct. fl. Melit non Viviani] Tewm Irqiq ta’ Malta Maltese Dwarf Garlic Anacardiaceae Pistacia terebinthus L Botna; Skornabekk; Siġra tat Turpentina; Trementina; Siġra tal-Fosdoq; it-Terebintu Terebinth; Turpentine Tree Rhus coriaria L. Xumakk tal-Konz Common Sumach Apiaceae VERŻJONI ELETTRONIKA B 1211 Apium nodiflorum (L.) Lagasca Karfus tal-Ilma; Xaħmet il Ġwieri Fool’s Water Cress; Procumbent Marshwort Oenanthe globulosa L. s.l. Karfus il-wied Mediterranean Water Dropwort; Round-headed Water Dropwort Asteraceae (= Compositae) Otanthus maritimus (L.) Hoffmannsegg et Link [= Diotis candidissima Desfontaines Santolina tar-Ramel; Bajda tar-Ramel Cottonweed; Sea Cudweed Matricaria aurea (Loefling) Schultz Bipontinus [= Chamomilla aurea (Loefling) Gay ex Coss. et Kralik] Kamumilla Nana Rayless Mayweed Brassicaceae (= Cruciferae) Nasturtium officinale W.T. Aiton Krexxuni; Sija Water cress Matthiola incana (L.) R. Brown subsp. melitensis Brullo, Lanfranco, Pavone et Ronsisvalle Ġiżi ta’ Malta Maltese Stocks Cistaceae Cistus spp. Borgħom; Ċisti Rock-Roses Convolvulaceae Convolvulus oleifolius Desrousseaux s.l. Leblieb tal-Irdum Olive-Leaved Bindweed Cymodoceaceae Cymodocea nodosa (Ucria) Ascherson [= Zostera nodosa Ucria] Alka Rqiqa; Ċimodoċja Lesser Neptune Grass Cyperaceae Bolboschoenus maritimus (L.) Palla [= Scirpus maritimus L.] Simar tal-Boqgħa Sea Club Rush, Alkali Bulrush VERŻJONI ELETTRONIKA B 1212 Carex divulsa Stokes [= Vignea divulsa (Stokes) Rchb.] Sogħda Mifruda Grey Sedge; Prickly Sedge; Grassland Sedge Carex extensa Goodenough Sogħda tal-Baħar Long-bracted Sedge Carex cuprina (Heuff.) A. Kern [= Carex otrubae Podp.] Sogħda Kompatta False Fox Sedge Carex halleriana Asso Sogħda tal-Makkja Southern Sedge Carex hispida Willdenow Sogħda Kbira; Sogħda tat Tafal Hispid Sedge Cyperus fuscus L. s.l. Bordi Żgħir Brown Galingale Cyperus longus L. s.l. [=Chlorocyperus longus (L.) Palla s.l.; Pucreus longus (L.) Hayek s.l.] Bordi tal-Wied Sweet Cyperus; Compact Galingale Eleocharis ovata (Roth.) Roemer & Schultz Simar tal-Wardija Southern Spike Rush Eleocharis palustris (L.) Roemer & Schultz Simar tat-Toppu Common Spike Rush, Pale Spike Rush Isolepis cernua (Vahl) Roemer & Schultz Simar Irqiq Slender Club Rush Juncellus distachyos (Allioni) Turrill [= Cyperus distachyos Allioni] Bordi Iswed Rush Galingale; Mediterranean Galingale Schoenus nigricans L. Simar Iswed Black Bog Rush Ericaceae Erica multiflora L. Erika; Issopu; Savina; Sagħtar Aħmar; Leħjet ix-Xiħ Mediterranean Heath Euphorbiaceae Euphorbia dendroides L. Tengħud tas-Siġra Tree Spurge Euphorbia melitensis Parlatore [= Euphorbia spinosa auct. fl. Melit. non L.; = Euphorbia bivonae auct. fl. Melit. non Steudel] Tengħud tax-Xagħri Maltese Spurge 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 VERŻJONI ELETTRONIKA B 1213 Anthyllis hermanniae L. s.l. Ħatba s-Sewda Shrubby Kidney Vetch Lotus halophilus Boissier et Spruner Għantux tar-Ramel Sand Restharrow Iridaceae Iris pseudopumila Tineo Bellus Southern Dwarf Iris Iris sicula Todaro Fjurdulis Sqalli Sicilian Iris Juncaceae Juncus acutus L Simar il-Lixx Sharp-Pointed Rush Juncus articulatus L. Simar Jointed Rush, 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. scordioides (Schreb.) Arcangeli] Borgħom tal-Ilma Water Germander Thymus capitatus L. [= Thymbra capitata (L.) Cavanilles; Coridothymus capitatus (L.)Reichenbach fil.] Sagħtar Mediterranean Thyme Liliaceae Tulipa australis Link [= Tulipa sylvestris auct. Melit. non L.] Tulipan Selvaġġ Wild Tulip Orchidaceae Ophrys fuciflora (F.W. Schmidt) Moench s.l. [=Ophrys holosericea auct. fl. Melit. non (Burm.) Greuter] Brimba Late Spider Orchid Ophrys lacaitae Lojacono [= O.oxyrrhynchos subsp. lacaitae (Lojacono) Del Prete] Brimba Safra Yellow Spider Orchid; Lacaita’s Spider Orchid VERŻJONI ELETTRONIKA B 1214 Ophrys tenthredinifera Willdenow s.l. [= Ophrys tenoreana Lindley s.l.] Naħla Kbira Sawfly Orchid Ophrys oxyrrhynchos Todaro [= Ophrys fuciflora subsp. oxyrrhynchos (Todaro) Soó] Brimba ta’ Sqallija Beaked Spider Orchid Plumbaginaceae Limonium melitense Brullo [= Statice cosyrensis auct. fl. Melit. non Gussone] Leħjet ix-Xiħ; Limonju ta’Malta Maltese Sea Lavender Limonium narbonense Miller s.l. [= Limonium serotinum (Reichenbach) Pignatti s.l.] Selq tal-Blat; Limonju l-Kbir Narbonne’s Sea Lavender Limonium zeraphae Brullo [= Statice reticulata auct. fl. Melit. non L.] Leħjet ix-Xiħ; Limonju ta’ Żerafa Zerafa’s Sea Lavender Poaceae Ampelodesma mauritanica (Poiret) Durand et Schinz [= Ampelodesma tenax Link] Dis Diss Crypsis schoenoides (L.) Lamarck [= Phleum schoenoides L.] Kripsi tal-Ilma; Kripsi ta' Għawdex Swamp Picklegrass Phalaris coerulescens Desfontaines Skalora tal-Ilma Purple Canary Grass; Blue Canary Grass Posidoniaceae Posidonia oceanica (L.) Delile Alka; Posidonja Neptune-Grass Ranunculaceae Ranunculus bulbosus L. s.l. Ċfolloq tal-Werqa Bulbous Buttercup Rhamnaceae Paliurus spina-christi Miller Xewk tal-Kuruna; Xewk ta’ Kristu Christ’s Thorn Rosaceae Rosa sempervirens L. Girlanda tal-Wied Evergreen Rose VERŻJONI ELETTRONIKA B 1215 ". Sarcopoterium spinosum (L.) Spach [= Poterium spinosum L.] Tursin il-Għul Xewwiek Thorny Burnet Salicaceae Salix alba L. Żafżafa; Żafżafa Kbira White Willow Salix pedicellata Desfontaines Żafżafa ż-żgħira Mediterranean Willow Scrophulariaceae Scrophularia auriculata L. Fiswet il-Kelb tal-Ilma; Werqet il-Madonna Water Figwort; Water Betony; Bishop's Leaves Solanaceae Lycium spp. Għawseġ Boxthorns; Tea Trees Ulmaceae Ulmus canescens Melville [= Ulmus minor Miller subsp. Canescens (Melville) K. Browicz & J. Zielinski] Nemmiesa; Siġra tan-Nemus; Ulmu Hoary Elm; Grey Leaved Elm Zannichelliaceae Zannichellia melitensis Brullo, Giusso et Lanfranco [= Zannichellia palustris auct. fl. Melit. non L.; = Z. pedunculata auct. fl. Melit. non Rehb. in Mössler] Ħarira tal-Ilma Maltese Horned Pondweed Zosteraceae Zostera marina L. Alka tas-Salini; Żostera Eel-Grass; Grass Wrack Zostera noltii Hornemann [= Zostera nana Roth] Alka tal-Pwales; Żostera Nana Slender Eel-Grass VERŻJONI ELETTRONIKA B 1216 Substitution of Schedule IV of the principal regulations. 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). A. 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. B. 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. C. Site assessment criteria for a given species in Schedule III VERŻJONI ELETTRONIKA B 1217 shall be the internationally recognised threat status of such species. D. 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. E. 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.". VERŻJONI ELETTRONIKA B 1218 Amends Schedule VI of the principal regulations. 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: " "; (b) under the title ‘CNIDARIA’ the species thereunder shall be substituted by the following: " Leucoraja circularis (= Raja circularis) Raja Sandy Ray; Sandy Skate Antipathella subpinnata Qroll Black Coral Antipathes spp. Qroll l-iswed Black Coral Astroides calycularis Qroll tad-Dell Star Coral Callogorgia verticillata Sawt il-Baħar Soft Coral Cladocora caespitosa Qroll Abjad Stone Coral; White Coral Cladocora debilis Qroll Abjad Thin Tube Coral Corallium rubrum Qroll Aħmar Precious Coral, Sardinian Coral; Red Coral Dendrophyllia cornigera Qroll Isfar tal-Fond Yellow Tree Coral Dendrophyllia ramea Qroll Oranġjo tal-Fond Yellow Coral Desmophyllum dianthus Trumbetta tal-Fond Cockscomb Cup Coral Ellisella paraplexauroides Eliżella; Gorgonja Kbira Candelabrum Coral Errina aspera Errina Hydrocoral; Errina; Stylasterid Coral Hornera lichenoides Qroll Falz False Coral Isidella elongata Imrewħa tal-Fond Bamboo Coral Leiopathes glaberrima Qroll il-Glabru Smooth Black Coral Lophelia pertusa Lofelja; Qroll tal-Fond Deep Water Coral Madrepora oculata Madripora tal-Għajn; Qroll tal-Fond Zigzag Coral Parantipathes larix Abit tal-Baħar; Qroll l-Iswed Black Coral VERŻJONI ELETTRONIKA B 1219 "; (c) under the title ‘LEPIDOPTERA’ the species thereunder shall be substituted by the following: " Savalia savaglia [=Gerardia savaglia] Qroll Iswed il-Falz False Black Coral" Lasiocampidae Gastropacha quercifolia Werqa Niexfa Lappet Moth Lasiocampa quercus Baħrija tal-Ballut Oak Eggar Noctuidae Catocala conjuncta Katokala Rari, Baħrija tal Luq Red Underwing Catocala elocata Elokata Red Underwing Catocala nymphaea Katokala Safra Kbira, Baħrija tal-Luq Oak Yellow Underwing Catocala nymphagoga Katokala Safra Żgħira, Baħrija tal-Luq Oak Yellow Underwing Sphingidae All species Hesperiidae Gegenes pumilio Il-Baħri Pygmy Skipper Lycaenidae Aricia agestis Kannelli tal-Anġlu Brown Argus Azanus ubaldus Bright Babul Blue Celastrina argiolus Ikħal Fiddieni Holly Blue Lampides boeticus Ikħal tad-Denb Twil Long-tailed Blue Leptotes pirithous (= Papilio plinius, Syntarucus pirithous) Ikħal tad-Denb Qasir Lang’s Short-tailed blue Lycaena phlaeas Farfett tas-Selq Small Copper Plebejus argus Silver-studded Blue Polyommatus celina Farfett tal-Anġlu Southern Common Blue Polyommatus icarus Farfett tal-Anġlu Common Blue Polyommatus thersites Farfett tal-Anġlu Chapman Blue Zizeeria karsandra Ikħal tal-Afrika Dark Grass Blue Nymphalidae VERŻJONI ELETTRONIKA B 1220 "; (d) under the title RHODOPHYTA, immediately before the species ‘Titanoderma trochanter’, there shall be added the following new species: " "; Coenonympha lyllus (= C. pamphilus lyllus) Kannella Żgħir Esper’s Heath Coenonympha pamphilus Kannella Żgħir Small Heath Hipparchia blachieri (= H. algirica vallettai, H. aristeus blachieri) Sicilian Grayling Lasiommata megera Kannella tax-Xemx Wall Brown Maniola jurtina Kannella Kbir Meadow Brown Nymphalis polychloros Large Tortoiseshell; Blackleg Tortoiseshell Parage aegeria Kannella tad-Dell Speckled Wood Polygonia egea Southern Comma Papilionidae Iphiclides podalirius Farfett Scarce Swallowtail; Sail Swallotail; Pear Tree Swallowtail Papilio saharae Farfett Sahara Swallowtail Pieridae Colias croceus Farett tas-Silla Clouded Yellow Gonepteryx cleopatra Farfett taż-Żiju Cleopatra Tineidae Morophaga choragella Baħrija tal-Faqqiegħ Large Cloths Moth Sphaerococcus rhizophylloides J.J.Rodríguez y Femenías Alga Ħamra Red Alga VERŻJONI ELETTRONIKA B 1221 (e) immediately under the title ‘AMARYLLIDACEAE’ there shall be added the following: " "; (f) under the title ‘ORCHIDACEAE’ the species thereunder shall be substituted by the following: " Allium commutatum Gussone Kurrat Selvaġġ Wild Leek; Sea Garlic Anacamptis longicornu (Poiret) Bateman, Pridgeon et Chase [= Orchis longicornu Poiret] Orkida tal-Qarn Twil; Orkida tal-Qrun Horned Orchid; Long-Spurred Orchid Anacamptis morio (L.) Bateman, Pridgeon et Chase s.str. [=Orchis morio L. s.str.] Orkida tal-Elmu Green Winged Orchid Anacamptis sect. Moriones Orkidi tal-Elmu Winged Orchids Anacamptis papilionacea (L.) Bateman, Pridgeon et Chase s.l. [= Orchis papilionacea L. s.l.] Farfett Butterfly Orchid Himantoglossum robertianum (Loiseleur) Delforge [= Barlia robertiana (Loiseleur) Greuter] Orkida Kbira Giant Orchid Neotinea commutata (Tod.) R.M.Bateman [= Orchis commutata Tod.; Neotinea tridentata subsp. commutata (Tod.) R.M.Bateman, Pridgeon et M.W.Chase] Orkida tat-Tikek Sicilian Milky Orchid VERŻJONI ELETTRONIKA B 1222 Neotinea conica [=Orchis conica Willdenow; O. pusilla Tyteca; Neotinea tridentata subsp. conica (Willdenow) Bateman, Pridgeon et Chase] Orkida tat-Tikek Conical Milky Orchid Neotinea lactea (Poiret) Bateman [=Orchis lactea Poiret; O. acuminata Desfontaines] Orkida tat-Tikek Spotted Milky Orchid Neotinea maculata (Desfontaines) Stearn [= Orchis intacta Link; Neotinea intacta (Link) Rchb. fil.] Orkida Rqiqa; Orkida tal-Weraq Imtebba’ Dense-Flowered Orchid Neotinea tridentata (Scopoli) R.M.Bateman, Pridgeon et M.W.Chase s.l. [= Orchis tridentata Scopoli; O. variegata Allioni;] Orkida tat-Tikek Milky Orchid Neottia nidus-avis (L.) L.C.M.Richard [= Ophrys nidus-avis L.] Bejtet l-Għasfur; Budebbus Falz Birdsnest Orchid Ophrys apifera Hudson [= Ophrys arachnites Miller] Naħla Bee Orchid Ophrys Sect. Bertoloniorum Dubbiena ta’ Bertoloni Bertoloni’s Bee Orchid Ophrys bertolonii Moretti s.str. Dubbiena ta’ Bertoloni Bertoloni’s Bee Orchid Ophrys caesiella Delforge [= Ophrys fusca subsp. caesiella (Delforge) Kreutz; O. bilunulata subsp. caesiella (Delforge) Paulus Dubbiena Żgħira ta‘ Malta; Dubbiena tat-Tikek Small Maltese Brown Orchid VERŻJONI ELETTRONIKA B 1223 Ophrys calliantha Bartolo et Pulvirenti [= Ophrys candida subsp. calliantha (Bartolo et Pulvirenti) Kreutz; Ophrys oxyrrhnchos subsp. calliantha (Bartolo et Pulvirenti) Galesi, Cristaudo et Maugeri] Brimba Mlewna ta’ Sqallija Sicilian Beaked Spider Orchid Ophrys explanata (Lojacono) Delforge [= Ophrys bertolonii subsp. explanata (Lojacono) Soca] Dubbiena ta’ Sqallija Sicilian Bertoloni‘s Bee Orchid Ophrys fuciflora s.l. (F.W. Schmidt) Moench [= Ophrys holosericea s.l. auct. fl. Melit. non (Burm.) Greuter Brimba Late Spider Orchid Ophrys fusca Link s.l. Dubbien Brown Orchids; Sombre Bee Orchids Ophrys garganica E. Nelson ex O. Danesch et E. Danesch [= Ophrys incubacea subsp. garganica (E. Nelson ex O. Danesch et E. Danesch) Galesi, Cristaudo et Maugeri; O. passionis subsp. garganica E. Nelson ex H. Baumann et R. Lorenz] Brimba tal-Ġwienaħ Safrana Gargano Spider Orchid Ophrys xgaulosana Mifsud [= Ophrys melitensis x tenthredinifera] Dubbiena ta’ Għawdex Gozo Spider Orchid Ophrys glabra Persoon [= Ophrys lutea subsp. lutea Cavanilles] Żunżana tal-Magħreb Maghrebian Yellow Bee Orchid Ophrys grandiflora Tenore [= Ophrys tenthredinifera subsp. grandiflora (Tenore) Kreutz Naħla Kbira ta’ Sqallija Sicilian Sawfly Orchid VERŻJONI ELETTRONIKA B 1224 Ophrys hospitalis Delforge [= Ophrys iricolor subsp. hospitalis (Delforge) Mifsud et Lewis] Dubbiena tal-Kavallieri; Dubbiena Bikrija Hospitallier Rainbow Bee Orchid Ophrys incubacea Bianca [= Ophrys atrata Lindl.; O. sphegodes subsp. atrata (Rchb. fil) Bolòs] Brimba tal-Ġwienaħ Bianca’s Spider Orchid Ophrys iricolor Desfontaines s.l. [= Ophrys fusca subsp. iricolor (Desfontaines) Richter s.l.] Dubbien Blue Orchids Ophrys lacaitae Lojacono [= Ophrys oxyrrhynchos subsp. lacaitae (Lojacono) Del Prete] Brimba Safra Yellow Spider Orchid; Lacaita‘s Spider Orchid Ophrys lojaconoi Delforge [= Ophrys iricolor subsp. lojaconoi (Delforge) Kreutz] Dubbiena ta’ Lojacono Lojacono’s Rainbow Bee Orchid Ophrys lucifera Devillers-Terschuren et Devillers [= Ophrys fusca subsp. lucifera (Devillers-Tersch. et Devillers) Kreutz] Dubbiena tar-Rebbiegħa Brown Orchid Ophrys lupercalis Devillers Terschuren et Devillers [= Ophrys fusca subsp. lupercalis (Devillers Terschuren et Devillers) Kreutz] Dubbiena tal-Luperkalja Lupercalia Rainbow Bee Orchid Ophrys lutea Cavanilles s.str. [= Ophrys vespifera Brotero] Żunżana l-Kbira Yellow Bee Orchid Ophrys mesaritica (Paulus, C. Alibertis et A. Alibertis) Kreutz [= Ophrys iricolor subsp. mesaritica Paulus, C. Alibertis et A. Alibertis] Dubbiena Bikrija Cretan Rainbow Bee Orchid VERŻJONI ELETTRONIKA B 1225 Ophrys oxyrrhynchos Todaro [= Ophrys fuciflora subsp. oxyrrhynchos (Todaro) Soó Brimba ta‘ Sqallija Beaked Spider Orchid Ophrys pallida Rafinesque [= Ophrys fusca subsp. pallida (Rafinesque) EG Camus; O. pectus Mutel] Dubbiena Milwija Pale Green Orchid; Reflexed Brown Orchid Ophrys passionis Sennen s.l. [= O. garganica subsp. passionis (Sennen ex Devillers-Tersch. & Devillers) Paulus & Gack s.l.] Brimba tal-Ġwienaħ Safrana Easter Spider Orchid; Passion Spider Orchid Ophrys phryganae Devillers-Terschuren et Devillers [= Ophrys lutea subsp. phryganae (Devillers Terschuren et Devillers) Melki] Żunżana tal-Lvant Eastern Yellow Bee Orchid Ophyrs Sect. Pseudophrys Dubbien; Żunżan Bee Orchids Ophrys romolinii Soca [= Ophrys bertolonii subsp. romolinii (Soca) Véla et R.Martin] Dubbiena ta’ Romolini Romolini‘s Bee Orchid Ophrys sicula Tineo [= Ophrys minor (Todaro) Paulus et Gack; O. lutea subsp. minor (Todaro) O Danesch et E Danesch; O. lutea subsp. sicula (Tineo) Soldano] Żunżana ż-Żgħira Sicilian Yellow Bee Orchid Ophrys speculum Link [= Ophrys ciliata Bivona-Bernardi] Dubbiena l-kaħla Mirror Orchid; Mirror of Venus Ophrys sphegodes Miller s.l. [= Ophrys aranifera Hudson s.l.] Brimba Spider Orchid VERŻJONI ELETTRONIKA B 1226 Ophrys tenthredinifera Willdenow s.str. [= Ophrys tenoreana Lindley s.l.] Naħla Kbira Sawfly Orchid Ophrys xtumentia Mifsud [= Ophrys caesiella x iricolor] Dubbiena ta’ Sidirha Kbir Swollen-Chest Brown Bee Orchid Ophrys vallesiana Deviller Terschuren et Devillers [= Ophrys iricolor subsp. vallesiana (Devillers Terschuren et Devillers) Paulus et Gack] Dubbiena ta’ Tuneż Vallès Rainbow Bee Orchid Orchis italica Poiret [= Orchis longicruris Link; O. undulatifolia Bivona-Bernardi] Ħajja u Mejta tal-Werqa Fdewxa; Orkida tal-Weraq Fdewxa Naked-Man Orchid Serapias bergonii E.G. Camus [= Serapias vomeracea subsp. laxiflora (Soó) Gölz et Reinhard] Orkida tal-Ilsien tal-Lvant Eastern Ploughshare Serapias cordigera L. [= Serapias ovalis LCM Richard] Orkida tal-Qalb Heart-Flowered Tongue Orchid Serapias lingua L. [= Serapias columnae (Rchb. Fil.) Lojacono] Orkida tal-Ilsien Tongue Orchid; Tongue Serapias Serapias orientalis (Greuter) Baumann et Künkele [= Serapias vomeracea subsp. orientalis Greuter] Orkida tal-Ilsien tal-Lvant Oriental Tongue Orchid Serapias vomeracea (Burmann fil.) Briquet [= Orchis vomeracea Burmann fil.; Serapias longipetala (Tenore) Pollini] Orkida tal-Ilsien Kbir Ploughshare; Long-Lipped Tongue Orchid Spiranthes spiralis (L.) Chevallier [= Spiranthes autumnalis LCM Richard] Il-Ħajja u Mejta tal-Ħarifa Autumn Lady’s Tresses VERŻJONI ELETTRONIKA B 1227 ". Amends Schedule VII of the principal regulations. 26. In Schedule VII of the regulations under the title ‘CRUSTACEA – DECAPODA’ the name ‘Scillarides latus’ shall be substituted by the name ‘Scyllarides latus’. Amends Schedule VIII of the principal regulations. 27. Schedule VIII of the principal regulations shall be amended as follows: (a) immediately under the title ‘Alopiidae’ there shall be added the following species: " "; (b) under the title ‘Carcharhinididae’ there shall be added the following species: " "; and (c) under the title ‘CRUSTACEA’ the following species shall be deleted: " ". Deletes of Schedule XI of the principal regulations. 28. Schedule XI of the principal regulations shall be deleted. Amends Schedule XII of the principal regulations. 29. Schedule XII of the principal regulations shall be amended as follows: (a) Schedule XII shall be renumbered as Schedule XI; and Alopias superciliosus Pixxivolpi ta’ Għajnu Kbira Bigeye Thresher Shark Carcharhinus obscurus Kelb il-Baħar Sewdieni Dusky Shark Scyllarus latus [= Scyllarides latus] Ċkala; Ċkala Ħamra Flat Lobster; European Paddle-Nosed Lobster VERŻJONI ELETTRONIKA B 1174 Ippubblikat mid-Dipartiment tal-Informazzjoni (doi.gov.mt) — Valletta — Published by the Department of Information (doi.gov.mt) — Valletta Mitbugħ fl-Istamperija tal-Gvern fuq karta FSC — Printed at the Government Printing Press on FSC certified paper Prezz/Price €2.52 B 1228 (b) the words "SCHEDULE IX(a)" and "Schedule IX(b)" shall be substituted by the words "SCHEDULE XI(a)" and "Schedule XI(b)" respectively. VERŻJONI ELETTRONIKA