Royal Decree 263/2008, that establishes technical measures in power lines to protect the birds has finally been approved. The Royal Decree establishes technical criteria that power lines of new installation must fulfill, as well as the types of corrections that must be applied to the existing power lines to avoid the electrocution or the collision of birds. It also forces the Public administration to economically contribute in the modification of the dangerous power lines that are present in protected areas and in high-priority areas of reproduction, feeding, dispersion and local concentration of those species of birds included in the Spanish Catalogue of Threatened Species or in autonomic catalogues. In addition it establishes a maximum period of 5 years for this type of performances.

Up to now, similar Decrees only existed in some autonomous communities. The Real Decree constitutes an important advance in the matter of conservation of birds, because from now on there will be an homogeneous legal frame of reference for the whole Spanish state, and will contribute to accelerate the workings of correction of the electrocution and collision, so necessary to guarantee the survival of species so threatened as the Bonelli's eagle.

For more detailed information about the Real Decree, consult the following direction: Real Decreto 263/2008