News Politics
The Nature Restoration Act will be passed anyway
The Nature Restoration Act no longer seemed to have sufficient support in Europe, but with a sudden change of heart from Austria, it has now been passed. However, compared to the original proposal, the requirements for the EU member states have been significantly weakened, with an obligation to make efforts instead of a ban on deterioration and an emergency brake if food production is threatened.
A majority of the environmental ministers of the 27 EU member states today voted in favor of the Nature Restoration Act. Austria originally wanted to abstain from voting, but now voted in favor. The Netherlands voted against, as previously intended, and followed a parliamentary motion. By the way, there is still a dark cloud hanging over the Nature Restoration Act. According to the NOS, Chancellor Karl Nehammer of Austria wants to challenge the yes vote of the Austrian environment minister because, according to him, it is not on behalf of Austria and is unconstitutional.
The European regulation must introduce restoration measures for at least 2030% of all land and sea areas in the EU by 20, with priority given to Natura 2000 areas. By 2050, Member States must have restored 90% of all damaged ecosystems. Areas must not be allowed to deteriorate again.
Member States must adopt national recovery plans describing how they intend to achieve these objectives. The Nature Restoration Act has been watered down compared to the original proposal of then European Commissioner Frans Timmermans. The prohibition on deterioration thus became a best-efforts obligation. The European Parliament then also built in an emergency brake in February whereby the targets can be suspended if food security is at risk.
LTO concerns
LTO is concerned about 'whether an obligation to make efforts remains legally valid and cannot be converted into an obligation to achieve results'. "As a result, the consequences and limitations of this law for the Netherlands, and Dutch agriculture, will only become clear in practice later, when the obligations to which the Netherlands is now committed lead to the further closure of all kinds of social activities in the Netherlands ", the interest group responds.
Linda van Eekeres
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