About 17% of EU grasslands have conservation value (sensu Habitats Directive)
An unfavourable conservation status is reported for about 80% of these grasslands
About 2000 km2 of EU grasslands are lost annually, mostly those extensively managed
This loss is due to afforestation (30%) and to conversion to crops/urban sprawl (70%)
Afforestation cannot offset CO2 emissions and hampers biodiversity conservation