The Commission looks to step up the fight for biodiversity with a new strategy, and the EP looks forward to hosting citizens during this weekend's EU Open Days.

The News: Biodiversity through sustainable agriculture - Festival of Europe

Biodiversity under threat -  the Commission presents its plans

to put a stop  to this worrying phenomenon.

We report on the unusual places where  biodiversity is thriving against the odds.

Every year the EU institutions  open their doors

We take you on a whistle-stop tour  of what’s in store this weekend.

And, of course,  the rest of the news in brief.

a pair of Peregrine Falcons  has been nesting in Brussels,

high up in the St. Michael  & St. Gudula Cathedral.

We can see the male just above the nest,  the female is out hunting.

It’s thanks to a 1979 European directive  protecting birds

that falcons can thrive in Europe,  but not all animals have been so lucky.

25% of European species  are endangered.

It’s the species  which seemed the least vulnerable

and which were the most plentiful,  such as swallows, larks

and yellow wagtails,  which are now disappearing.

It's clearly down to the  transformation of the countryside,

To curb this phenomenon, Environment  Commissioner Janez Potočnik

proposes a more sustainable agriculture  model in his new biodiversity strategy.

You have to give subsidies  to farmers, you have to pay them

for making sure  that biodiversity is improving,

for improving biodiversity and  delivering food at the same time.

Protecting fish stocks and improving  ecosystems are other measures

included in the strategy, all good ones.

But this MEP feels we all have a role  in protecting the environment.

In my view, that is far better  than if you just give money,

'pay off your debts',  pay out of guilt, or whatever.

The EU aims to curb biodiversity loss by  restoring 15% of its ecosystems by 2020.

But, human activity  has increased the extinction rate

by at least 100 times  compared to the natural rate.

visitors keen to see the inner  workings of the European Parliament.

They won’t be bored while they wait.  There’ll be artists to draw them,

musicians and acrobats  to amaze and entertain them

and even free coffee to refresh them  while they wait to get inside.

Saturday is Open Day  at the Parliament in Brussels,

part of the festivities to mark the  anniversary of the Schuman Declaration

towards the common market in coal and  steel that would evolve into the EU.

Once inside, visitors will find lots to do.

There'll be guided tours  including amusing but nonsensical ones

conducted by actors  disguised as museum guides.

What they tell you may be fictional,  but here fact can be even stranger.

Visitors can also watch and join in  debates in the chamber, like real MEPs.

And there’ll be stands  to amuse and delight them everywhere.

Here and nearby, the various  political groups will try to attract you

with facts, figures, activities,  quizzes, competitions and even free gifts.

You may go home  with more than you brought with you.

Peckish visitors won’t find it hard  to track down catering facilities

to assuage both hunger and thirst.  But the thrills aren’t over yet, oh no...

A large open space,  perfect for entertainment,

and there’ll be a wide variety on offer:  a giant karaoke to test your skills with,

stilt walkers, dancers  and even graffiti artists.

You can even test your bicycling  muscles against those of Jerzy Buzek,

José Manuel Barroso, Herman  Van Rompuy and Catherine Ashton.

Not in person, of course.  But how hard can that be?

There’s also an open day on Saturday at  the European Parliament in Luxembourg

and on Sunday at the EP in Strasbourg.  Robert Schuman would be proud.

Faced with migration pressures from  North Africa, the Commission proposed

a temporary re-introduction  of internal border controls.

The countries could take control of their  borders in exceptional circumstances.

Interior ministers  will discuss the proposal next week

and the June European Council  will focus on it.

Austria will vote on Turkey joining the EU.

The Austrian Chancellor Werner  Faymann announced a referendum.

A few years ago France also decided  to vote on this issue.

The negotiations between Turkey  and the EU are slowing down.

More clarity on the European milk policy.

This Wednesday some 200 dairy farmers  from several EU countries

calling for a fairer income  in line with the dairy industry.

In two weeks MEPs will vote on a draft  proposal to reform the dairy sector.

Member States have already decided  to phase out milk quotas by 2015.