The Agreement on the Conservation of Populations of European Bats came into force in 1994 and until now a total of 39 out of 63 range states have acceded to the Agreement.
The Agreement was set up under the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals, which recognises that endangered migratory species can be properly protected only if activities are carried out over the entire migratory range of the species.
The Bat Agreement aims to protect all 55 European bat species through legislation, education, conservation measures and international co-operation with Agreement members and with those who have not yet joined. The Agreement provides a framework of co-operation for the conservation of bats throughout Europe, Northern Africa and the Middle East.