The vote on an EU nature protection law scheduled for next Friday has been canceled again. The SPÖ delegation in the European Parliament previously spoke of a ‘no longer a fixed majority’. The future of the law is now ‘completely unclear’.
As mentioned, this is about restoring nature. According to the EU Restoration Act, at least 20 percent of land and sea areas must be restored by 2030, and all threatened ecosystems must be restored by 2050 (see video above). Lakes, rivers, forests, meadows and coral reefs are affected. The objectives must be achieved through national plans.
A non-binding vote among the 27 EU ambassadors was scheduled for Friday, but was canceled at short notice. One additional country’s vote is still missing for a qualified majority, an EU diplomat said. In total, this requires the votes of at least 15 of the 27 member states, which must represent at least 65 percent of the population.
Nehammer rejects the law
Negative votes and abstentions are currently coming from the governments of Italy, Sweden, Finland and Poland, but also from Austria and Belgium. The Austrian government must abstain from voting due to a decision by the federal states. However, Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) emphasized that he also personally rejects the law, “because its fundamental flaw is that it covers the EU in far too much of a grid pattern. Every country has its peculiarities, including agriculture in every country. So it is important to take that into account.”
Criticism came from the SPÖ delegation in the European Parliament and from environmental protection organizations such as the WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature). “Intact nature is essential for a healthy climate and healthy biodiversity (…). We must take action now so that we can live in an intact environment and pass it on to future generations,” said MEP Günther Sidl.
WWF: “Blockage negligent”
“The planned law would be a huge step forward and exactly the right response to the escalating climate and biodiversity crisis. The fact that the nine state governors are sabotaging this course for the whole of Europe is completely irresponsible,” says WWF biodiversity spokesperson Joschka Brangs. The law goes beyond the mere powers of the federal state – “from water supply to healthy rivers and forests to adaptation to the climate crisis.”
According to the WWF, more than 80 percent of the species and habitats protected under European law in this country are not in a favorable conservation status. Only 14 percent of local rivers are in good ecological status. One problem is the high land consumption. Originally an agreement was reached at the end of February, it was just a matter of formal approval.
Source: Krone
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