Conservationists declare victory for wildlife as EU saves nature directives

EU president abandons plan to overhaul flagship birds and habitats directives following a huge public campaign

The European commission president, Jean-Claude Juncker, has been forced to abandon an overhaul of flagship nature laws after an unprecedented campaign that mobilised over half a million people in protest.

The popular birds and habitats directives protect almost a fifth of Europe's landmass, about 200 wetlands, meadows and marine habitats, and more than a thousand animal and plant species.