Mr. Eric Blencowe

Eric Blencowe, Executive Secretary, EUROBATS, Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals, Bonn, Germany, "The European Bats Agreement: On A Wing and a Prayer?;"

109. Mr. Eric Blencowe, Executive secretary of the Agreement on the Conservation of Bats in Europe (Eurobats), drew attention to Annex 3 of document UNEP/CMS/Conf.5.9 containing the report of the Agreement secretariat.He acknowledged with thanks the assistance given by the German Government in hosting the Eurobats secretariat and the extra assistance provided for the CMS Secretariat, mainly in connection with the new building and equipment supplied, which had significantly enhanced capacity.The Eurobats secretariat comprised only two half-time staff, making it impossible inter alia to provide full facilities for meetings.As well as his work for Eurobats, he had been seconded by the United Kingdom Government to serve half-time with the CMS Secretariat, but this was not an ideal arrangement since conflicts of work priorities could occur.In conclusion, he emphasized the importance of bats as indicator species.Often in the past, that factor had not been accorded its full importance but it was now realized and, for a variety of reasons, bats had received considerable publicity in Germany and across the European region.

111. The representative of Switzerland was pleased that a great deal of work was being done for bats in Europe.The Bern Convention also covered that species and he wondered what cooperation existed between it and Eurobats.Mr Blencowe said that regular contacts were maintained between the two bodies, and the Bern Convention had been represented at the second meeting of the Eurobats Advisory Committee in Kraków.The Coordinator confirmed that excellent relations existed between the CMS Secretariat and the Bern Convention Secretariat and that joint action was envisaged on several issues.

African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbird Agreement (AEWA)

111. Mr Bert Lenten, Executive secretary of the African-Eurasian Waterbird Agreement (AEWA), drew attention to Annex 4 of document UNEP/CMS/Conf.5.9 which contained the report of the interim Agreement secretariat.After describing the events leading up to the adoption of the Agreement, he noted that the interim secretariat had been established in the Netherlands on 1 January 1996.

16. Mr. Eric Blencowe welcomed everyone to the second session of the Meeting of Parties and expressed his hope that it would come to a successful conclusion.He thanked the German Federal Government for hosting the Secretariat and expressed how he benefited from an enormous range of facilities including the co-location with the UNEP/CMS Secretariat.He explained that everyone was welcome to visit the EUROBATS Secretariat during or after the meeting.
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Agenda item 6.2 - Report of the Secretariat, Mr Eric Blencowe

22. Mr. Eric Blencowe hoped that the report was explanatory and clear.He stated that the Secretariat had benefited enormously through its liaison with the German Government as a host and employer, and through the co-location with the CMS Secretariat which allowed for information exchange and the provision of a wealth of experience.
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Ireland and Poland then thanked Mr. Blencowe for his help and co-operation.
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Mr. Claus Mayr (Naturschutzbund Deutschland) thanked the Parties for the opportunity at attend and praised the work of Mr. Eric Blencowe.
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5.2 The Executive Secretary, Mr. Eric Blencowe, explained that the provisions under the UNEP option allowed for fewer staff.
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5.4 Mr. Blencowe was concerned about Dr. Emonds' apparent misunderstanding of the nature of the financial issues with which he had been forced to deal.
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Mr. Eric Blencowe Executive Secretary, EUROBATS