Environment Council meeting | The EESC reiterates its endorsement of the EU Nature Restoration Law

At the upcoming Environment Council meeting of 17 June 2024, Ministers should discuss the adoption of the EU Nature Restoration law, among other agenda points.

In this context, Mr Peter SCHMIDT, president of the NAT section of the EESC, sent a formal letter to Mr Alain MARON in his role of chair of the Environment Council reiterating the EESC position on the EU Nature Restoration Law.

In January 2023, the EESC adopted an opinion on this topic that could provide a useful synthesis and possible basis for a compromise solution to facilitate the debate and conclude the political process at the Environment Council meeting.

In its opinion, the EESC supported the overall objective of the proposed Regulation to step up efforts on nature restoration in order to halt the loss of biodiversity and put Europe’s biodiversity on the path to recovery. At the same time, it also put forward several recommendations reflecting a balanced approach of the various interests and perspectives represented in the Committee, including environmentalists, farmers, forest owners and fishermen, and trade unions from across the EU.

The EESC also highlighted that the farming community needs a fairer food supply chain, solutions to accompany the transition and support in the move towards climate neutrality objectives.

The full letter can be downloaded at the bottom of this page, together with the EESC opinion on Nature restoration targets under EU biodiversity strategy.