Environment Minister Leonore Gewessler (Greens) could still vote for the EU renaturation law. As soon as a federal state releases the joint veto, the way is clear for the politician, says lawyer Daniel Ennöckl of the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (Boku). Approval from the other ministries is no longer necessary.
“I call on Vienna and Carinthia to show their color and make it clear: do they support the state declaration or do they support nature. If the countries abandon their uniform position, everyone can rely on one thing: I will do everything I can to ensure that Austria agrees to EU law to protect nature,” said Environment Minister Leonore Gewessler (Greens ).
The SPÖ welcomed this in a press release. “The Social Democratic governors of Vienna and Carinthia, especially Mayor Ludwig with his new proposal for a state declaration, have paved the way for European protection of nature reserves and biodiversity,” said environmental spokeswoman Julia Herr.
However, Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) and Agriculture Minister Norbert Totschnig (ÖVP) are not happy about it. Nehammer spoke of a “dramatic example of the madness of overregulation in Brussels”, while Totschnig warned of huge cuts in agriculture. Prices would rise and the economy would weaken. Many jobs would be at risk and the impact on individual communities cannot be estimated. What is needed instead is an ‘incentive policy, not a prohibition policy’.
Also approval from agriculture
“If we no longer have nature, we can no longer produce anything,” says Wolfgang Suske, initiator of the Renaturierungsgesetz.at petition. Many farmers would speak out in favor of the law “because they work in nature every day and see the biodiversity crisis before their eyes.”
For example, the law stipulates that in the future more forests will be reforested, heathlands will be rehydrated and rivers will be restored to their natural state to combat the climate crisis.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
