This publication forms a section of the Manual of European Environmental Policy, published by IEEP in 2012. In this chapter the development of the EU biodiversity policy framework is explored. It presents the legislation that has been introduced to satisfy the growing need for biodiversity conservation, including the purpose and development of the Birds Directive, Habitats Directive and the Habitats and Species Conservation Directive. Furthermore the legislation on Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) is discussed including the regulation of their contained use, deliberate release, use in food and feed, traceability and labelling, and transboundary movements.