EU member states adopt controversial nature conservation law

A sufficient majority of EU member states approved the proposal — which has been criticised primarily by farmers and conservatives — in Luxembourg, as the current Belgian EU Council Presidency announced.

The proposal was debated at length and with great intensity. The European Commission had put forward the so-called Nature Restoration Law almost exactly two years ago. According to official figures, around 80 percent of habitats in the European Union are in poor condition. In addition, 10 percent of bee and butterfly species are reportedly threatened with extinction, and 70 percent of soils are in poor condition.

Law in a weakened form

While environmentalists, numerous scientists and businesses supported the law, there was strong opposition, primarily from Christian Democrats and farmers' associations. Critics fear excessively large cutbacks for farmers and the resulting impact on food production in the EU. In order to address these concerns, the law had been significantly weakened during the negotiation process.

In fact, the EU member states and the European Parliament had already reached a compromise in November. Under this agreement, farmers would not, for instance, be required to set aside a certain percentage of their land for environmentally friendly measures — something farmers had feared. Adoption by both co-legislators, the EU member states and the Parliament, is normally a formality. The European Parliament had also given its final approval to the law in Strasbourg. However, a number of countries have so far been opposed to the proposal.

Austria's Chancellor: Climate Minister not authorised

The majority was achieved through a change of course by Austria. The Alpine republic's Minister for Climate Protection and the Environment, Leonore Gewessler (Greens), voted in favor of the law, thereby opposing her conservative coalition partner, the chancellor's party ÖVP. Austria's Chancellor Karl Nehammer is convinced that his minister's actions were unlawful. He had previously announced that if she voted in favor, he would file a nullity action before the ECJ. Gewessler had stated that her approval was legally sound.

With the approval of the EU member states, the law is effectively adopted. Should no further legal complications arise regarding Austria's conduct, the legal text would only need to be translated into the official EU languages and published in the Official Journal for the provisions to enter into force.

Environment Minister Lemke welcomes new EU nature restoration law

In an initial reaction, the lead negotiator of the Greens group in the European Parliament, German MEP Jutta Paulus, spoke of a success in the fight against species extinction and the consequences of the climate crisis. Without biodiversity, there would be no fertile soils, no clean air, and no drinkable water, Paulus stated.

Federal Environment Minister Steffi Lemke described the law as a decisive step toward intact nature in Europe. «I very much welcome the fact that the EU member states have today adopted the regulation on nature restoration», the Greens politician added following the decision in Luxembourg.

The law had struck a balanced equilibrium of all interests. The EU member states had demonstrated responsibility for nature in Europe and for preserving creation. «Intact nature is the net that supports us all», said Lemke.

Farmers' association criticizes the vote

The German Farmers' Association, by contrast, sharply criticized the approval by EU member states. Farmers' President Joachim Rukwied said that in doing so, the environment ministers were ignoring the outcome of the European elections. «You cannot dictate to us farmers by decree how we are to run our operations. That provokes resistance.» Those who believe that regulatory law can help nature will achieve the opposite. Nature conservation is only possible together with farmers.

The German Nature Conservation Ring, as the umbrella organization of nearly 100 organizations, spoke of a historic day and an important signal to the entire world. Securing the foundations of life and fulfilling obligations under the United Nations Biodiversity Convention were non-negotiable, despite a strong right-wing populist campaign. Burning and dying forests, increasing flood events, water shortages in southern Europe, and the advancing climate crisis all demonstrated that action must be taken now.