The outcome of today’s European Parliament vote is welcome – but the devil will be in the detail of the law’s final text
Today’s passing of the Nature Restoration Law by the European Parliament will be meaningless if the final text of the legislation is watered down any further, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore.
Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on climate action and biodiversity, said:
“While the results of today’s vote in Strasbourg will see the Nature Restoration Law live to fight another day, the devil will be in the detail of whatever deal is eventually agreed by MEPs and member states over the coming months.
“Already we have seen amendments that have removed some of the key measures of the law, including the rewetting of peatlands. This has been one of the most contentious elements of the proposed law, helped in no small part by political scaremongering and the spread of disinformation by the EPP in Europe and Government TDs back home.
“In negotiations to secure a deal on the final text, the Irish Government must insist that ambition levels – both in terms of required measures and timelines – are not eroded to such an extent that this groundbreaking law will be rendered useless in practice.
“Efforts to kill off the Nature Restoration Law have failed for now. However, we must remain vigilant to ensure it does not suffer death by a thousand cuts.”
July 12, 2023