• Recommendation on Natura 2000 designation: All relevant parts of IBAs excluded from current SPA designation must be incorporated into the network. Of particular relevanceis the full rotection of Akamas and Paphos Plains Marine Natura 2000 sites must be identified and protected.

• Recommendation on Natura 2000 management:  The Environment Department must take action to significantly improve the quality of management plans, through amending requirements in tenders and by following available guidance by the EC. Horizontal Management Measures need to be developed for SPAs. Remaining management plans to be of significantly better quality, all plans to be implemented and have their respective Ministerial Decrees and Horizontal Management Measures for SPAs adopted.

• Recommendation on Natura 2000 financing: PAF to be developed by the end of 2012 in order for the measures proposed to be integrated to national operational programmes to ensure EU funding opportunities, Natura 2000 payments to be implemented through the national Rural Development Programme. A better funding framework needs to be put in place for Natura 2000 sites by 2014.

• Recommendation on species protection: Trapping. Law enforcement must be strengthened (more deterrent court fines, more resources on the ground in trapping sites and greater enforcement in restaurants) and public awareness of the scale and the conservation impact of trapping should be increased through campaigns targeted especially at the general public. Trapping activity must be reduced by 80% compared to 2011 levels.

• Recommendation on Site Protection: 
  • Monitoring. Systematic monitoring to take place by competent authorities for species, sites and habitats of concern. The data collected through monitoring to be used by the competent authorities to produce useful information such as trends, populations and distributions.
  • Land use planning. The Ministerial Decision (2/2006) and the Opinion of the Environment Department on the Strategic Environmental Assessment for the National Action Plan for renewable energy sources, both of which direct renewable energy projects outside Natura 2000 sites, should be taken into consideration when such applications are being assessed. The issue of isolated housing should also be tackled on a strategic level. Proper land-use planning to allow for projects proposed in Natura 2000 sites with obvious adverse effects to be rejected by default, without the time-consuming and costly process of the Appropriate Assessment becoming a lever towards their approval.