(1)

The Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (1) (the ‘Agreement’) was approved on behalf of the European Union by Council Decision 2006/871/EC (2), and entered into force on 1 November 1999.

(2)

Pursuant to Article X, paragraph 5 of the Agreement, the Meeting of the Parties may adopt amendments to Annexes to the Agreement.

(3)

During its ninth session, which is to take place from 11 to 14 November 2025, the Meeting of Parties to the Agreement (the ‘MOP’) is expected to adopt a resolution on the adoption of amendments to the Annexes to the Agreement. The proposed amendment to Table 1 of Annex 3 to the Agreement concerning the species Grey Plover (Pluvialis squatarola squatarola) would, if adopted, require amendment of Directive 2009/147/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (3). Therefore, the proposed amendment falls outside the scope of the amendments that can be approved by the Commission pursuant to Article 3(1) of Decision 2006/871/EC in conjunction with Article 3(3) thereof.

(4)

It is appropriate to establish the position to be taken on the Union’s behalf at the MOP as regards the proposed amendment to Table 1 of Annex 3 to the Agreement concerning the Grey Plover, as that amendment will be binding on the Union and capable of decisively influencing the content of Union law, namely Directive 2009/147/EC.

(5)

The proposed amendment to Table 1 of Annex 3 to the Agreement, submitted by the United Kingdom and set out in draft Resolution 9.1 of the MOP concerning the Grey Plover, should be approved on behalf of the Union, as it will help achieve a higher degree of protection of that species’ populations, which are in decline. However, in accordance with Article 3(4) of Decision 2006/871/EC, the Commission should enter a reservation with regard to the proposed amendment, since it would require an amendment to Directive 2009/147/EC, which would not be feasible within 90 days of the date of adoption of Resolution 9.1 by the MOP,