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Emergency brake on agricultural land in the Nature Restoration Act
The European Parliament and the member states have reached an agreement on the Nature Restoration Act. The result is a lot less stringent than the original proposal from the European Commission (read: Frans Timmermans). The prohibition on deterioration has been replaced by an obligation to make efforts. Provisions have been included for agricultural ecosystems, but with an emergency brake.
EU countries must restore at least 2030% of habitat areas in poor condition by 30, 2040% by 60 and 2050% by 90. It has been agreed that priority will be given to Natura 2030 areas until 2000.
Agricultural sector
To restore nature to land used by the agricultural sector, EU countries must take action in two of three areas: grassland butterfly index, biodiversity and arable soil carbon.
Member States must take restoration measures in at least 2030% of drained peatlands by 30. At least a quarter must be re-watered by 2030, but on a voluntary basis for farmers and landowners. The EU countries must also turn the decline in butterflies and bees into an increase by 2030 at the latest.
Emergency brake
An emergency brake has also been included, at the insistence of the European Parliament, allowing the suspension of agricultural ecosystem targets if they have serious EU-wide consequences for the availability of land needed to secure agricultural production for food consumption in the EU.
The Nature Restoration Act has not yet been passed. The bill now has to pass the Council of Ministers and the European Parliament.
Linda van Eekeres
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