• Recommendation on Natura 2000 designation: All IBAs should be designated as SPAs, and the most important breeding sites of annex I species should be designated as SPAs as well. Particularly important are the designations of Anholt island and the bog Store Vildmose.

• Recommendation on Natura 2000 management: In all Natura 2000 sites, useful management has been started. However, especially in privately owned sites, the Natura 2000 plans should be much more precise, detailed and binding for the authorities.

• Recommendation on Natura 2000 financing: Much more of the money for rural development should be earmarked for nature improvement. Considerable progress has been reached in achieving the goal mentioned above.

• Recommendation on species protection: Reference values for Favourable conservation status. The Ministry of Environment has now officially has abandoned the use of the directive implementation year as reference for favourable conservation status (FCS) of habitats and species, but it is unclear what method will be used. The Ministry of Environment should elaborate/revise detailed and transparent criteria for reaching FCS for habitats and species.

• Recommendation on degradation of protected areas: Compatibility with the Water Framework Directive (WFD). In the management plans for many Natura 2000 sites the water quality issues are just dealt with by referring to the corresponding water management plan of the WDF – and vice versa! This must be replaced by strict and binding measures, also for water quality. The Ministry of Envirdonment officially has recognized the necessity of strict and binding measures, also for water quality, in both Natura 2000 and water management plans.