What is going on?
– About the nature restoration law Much has already been said and written, but in short, the law must ensure that the biodiversity and ecosystems in Europe are restored. Specific? According to the law, 20 percent of European nature must be restored by 2030.
– The law, however, rises much resistance. According to critics the agricultural sector will be hit too hard by the measures. The member states – including Belgium – fear that the law would be too drastic, but there is also fierce opposition within the European Parliament.
– The EU member states approved a compromise proposal last week. Parliament has not yet succeeded in this. If that doesn’t happen then threatens to throw the law into the trash to become.
The European Parliament’s Environment Committee has failed to pass the much-discussed nature restoration law. After a first vote had to be broken off prematurely two weeks ago in Strasbourg due to lack of time, the committee now went to the finish. But when voting on the final text, 44 committee members voted in favor and 44 against. In other words, no majority could be found, so that the nature restoration law was de facto rejected. The proposal will now go to the plenary of the European Parliament, where the decisive vote is scheduled for July.
The controversial nature restoration law of the European Commission must be approved by both the European Parliament and the Council of the EU – in which the responsible ministers sit. European environment ministers reached a compromise last week and are in principle ready to start negotiations with parliament – but only if that parliament first approves the law. But that is not (yet) the case.
Groen continues to look hopeful at the future of the law, but fiercely lashes out at the opponents. “Today, the Christian Democrats are risking the future of our economy, climate and nature to please their political supporters,” says European MP Sara Matthieu. “Climate slackers are putting the health of all citizens and the generations that will come after us at risk. A vast majority of member states recognize the importance of nature restoration, and parliament must also protect our European nature.”
“The political maneuvers of the conservatives are irresponsible for the future of both our farmers and nature, but the battle is not over yet. In July we do want to achieve a majority during the plenary session”, Matthieu responds combatively.