<s>[INST] The next text is a question of a member of the European parliament:"The planned clearing of the last remaining part of Hambach Forest in Germany has led to major concerns among citizens and conservationists. The energy company RWE is about to cut down the remaining forest to mine lignite, a highly polluting energy fuel.  A number of animal species living in Hambach Forest are listed in AnnexIV(a)of the Habitats Directive or in AnnexI of the Birds Directive as species under strict protection(1).   1.Does the Commission agree that a strict protection system must be applied across the entire natural range of these species, both within and outside Natura2000 sites? Large parts of Hambach Forest have already been destroyed and the populations of protected species in this area are therefore subject to a high degree of isolation. Nevertheless, Germany has taken no action to protect Hambach Forest.   2.Can the Commission explain whether it has already initiated a bilateral consultation procedure in the light of Germany’s failure to flag a site that is host to a priority natural habitat type and priority species, and if not, why not?  3.Can it guarantee that the Birds Directive and the Habitats Directive are being applied correctly in this case? If not, can the Commission urge Germany to prevent any irreversible steps?    (1)https://hambachforest.org/squat/background/the-forest/endangered-species/"
Analyze carefully the text and assign it to the most relevant policy area among those listed below. Do not explain your answer and return only a number.
Policy area numbers: 1 = Macroeconomics
2 = Civil Rights, Minority Issues and Civil Liberties
3 = Health
4 = Agriculture and Fisheries
5 = Labour, employment and pensions
6 = Education
7 = Environment
8 = Energy
9 = Immigration
10 = Transportation
12 = Law and Crime
13 = Social welfare
14 = Regional and Urban issues and Planning
15 = Banking, finance and domestic commerce issues
16 = Defence
17 = Space, science, technology, and communications issues
18 = Foreign trade
19 = International affairs and foreign aid
20 = Governance and government
21 = Public Lands, Water Management and Territorial Issues
23 = Culture and media
[/INST]. Answer = [7]. </s>
The planned clearing of the last remaining part of Hambach Forest in Germany has led to major concerns among citizens and conservationists. The energy company RWE is about to cut down the remaining forest to mine lignite, a highly polluting energy fuel.  A number of animal species living in Hambach Forest are listed in AnnexIV(a)of the Habitats Directive or in AnnexI of the Birds Directive as species under strict protection(1).   1.Does the Commission agree that a strict protection system must be applied across the entire natural range of these species, both within and outside Natura2000 sites? Large parts of Hambach Forest have already been destroyed and the populations of protected species in this area are therefore subject to a high degree of isolation. Nevertheless, Germany has taken no action to protect Hambach Forest.   2.Can the Commission explain whether it has already initiated a bilateral consultation procedure in the light of Germany’s failure to flag a site that is host to a priority natural habitat type and priority species, and if not, why not?  3.Can it guarantee that the Birds Directive and the Habitats Directive are being applied correctly in this case? If not, can the Commission urge Germany to prevent any irreversible steps?    (1)https://hambachforest.org/squat/background/the-forest/endangered-species/