34As is apparent from Case C-118/94 Associazione italiana per il WWF and Others [1996] ECR I-1223, paragraphs 23, 25 and 26, the relevant national legislation applicable must specify the criteria for the derogation in a clear and precise manner and require the authorities responsible for applying them to take account of those criteria. In respect of exceptional arrangements, which must be interpreted strictly and impose on the authority taking the decision the burden of proving that those conditions are present for each derogation, the Member States are required to ensure that all action affecting the protected species is authorised only on the basis of decisions containing a clear and sufficient statement of reasons which refers to the reasons, conditions and requirements laid down in Article 9(1) and (2) of the Directive.
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