Bulgaria has set out on the procedure to issue orders on the Birds' Directive, in conformity with a March 2 2006 decision of the Bulgarian government. This reads an item in the Natura 2000 progress report of Bulgaria's Environment Minister Jevdet Chakurov to European Commissioner Stavros Dimas.

Orders should take force by March 2008, the letter reads.

The letter also informs about a September 13 decision of the National Council on Biological Diversity. The decision, taken pending the National Forests Proposal and on hold for a year, endorses 26 habitats, offers one for extension and sends another one for review.
The decision has already been filed for approval next week with the Council of Ministers.

Furthermore, the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences has completed work on limiting 26 habitats, 16 bird zones, the minister's letter reads. These have been put up for review with the National Biological Diversity Council at the October 25 meeting and are to be immediately lodged with the Council of Ministers.