The majority of the EU Parliament confirms the EU law to restore nature – missed opportunity to revise the law – better involve farmers
Strasbourg (OTS) – “As a people’s party, we are clearly in favor of renaturation to strengthen biodiversity and climate protection. But we clearly reject centralistic interventions in the subsidiarity and property rights of our sustainable agriculture and forestry and at the expense of security of supply. That is why we are against this both professionally and “We voted for a legally deficient proposal,” says EU MP Alexander Bernhuber, the ÖVP’s agricultural and environmental spokesman in the European Parliament.
“The Commission’s proposal was ideologically motivated, practically unworkable and a catastrophe for farmers, forest owners and local authorities. Many criticisms regarding expediency, proportionality, lack of funding and interference with state competencies remain unresolved. That is also the reason “Why all ÖVP agricultural state councils unanimously reject this new EU law,” says EU MP Alexander Bernhuber.
Zwtl.: Missed opportunity for a new start and sustainable renaturation on site
“Today’s vote in the plenary session is a missed opportunity for a meaningful new start. I would have hoped for a clear commitment to subsidiarity and sustainable renaturation on site,” says Bernhuber, disappointed. “There are already 23 laws regulating essential aspects of restoring nature and biodiversity. I don’t see the added value for this flawed law. It would have been better to start again from the beginning and present a new plan with a comprehensive impact assessment without time pressure.”
“Now that the proposed law has been adopted, we will have to pay close attention to the impact of this law when implementing it in the coming months. It is important for the future that the affected farmers and experts are also involved from the start and that they are finally given the opportunity “We need to take these concerns seriously and focus more on realistic solutions and practical measures instead of always just discussing new goals – that’s what citizens expect,” says Bernhuber.
The now confirmed result of the negotiations between the European Parliament and the member states still has to be formally confirmed by the Council of the Member States and will then come into force. Federal Minister Leonore Gewessler is bound by a uniform statement from the federal states and must reject the proposal in the Council. (Ending)
Questions & Contact:
Dipl.-Ing. Alexander Bernhuber MEP, +32-2-28-45180
alexander.bernhuber@ep.europa.eu
Wolfgang Tucek, EVP Press Service, Tel.: +32-484-121-431,
wolfgang.tucek@ep.europa.eu
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