EU approves plan for nature restoration

EU member states agreed on new EU legislation for nature restoration during a ministerial meeting in Luxembourg. The law aims to increase forest and peatland areas and restore rivers to their natural state. Nevertheless, there has been resistance from farmers and several EU countries concerned about the law’s impact on agriculture. With the support of Austria’s environment minister, who voted against the chancellor’s wishes, a required majority was reached. Austria’s chancellor plans to challenge the law in the EU’s highest court. Countries including Italy, Hungary, the Netherlands, Poland, Finland, and Sweden opposed the legislation, citing a need for flexibility to accommodate differences in forestry practices. Both Sweden and Hungary emphasize the possibility of achieving the objectives without EU legislation, noting that a significant portion of Hungary’s territory is already near its natural state.