Independent TD, Michael Collins, and his colleagues in the Rural Independent group have raised serious concerns about the Irish government’s “unwavering support” for the EU Nature Restoration Law, following a vote in favour of the drastic rewetting law at yesterday’s meeting of the EU Environment Council in Luxembourg.
They say that the law, if implemented, includes legally binding targets that will have detrimental impacts on farmlands and the livelihoods of Irish farmers.
Speaking from Leinster House, the deputy leader of the Rural Independent Group stated:
“The version of the EU Nature Restoration Law approved yesterday by the Council sets stringent and unrealistic targets for Ireland, requiring the rewetting of at least 24,968 hectares by 2030, followed by 66,580 hectares by 2040, and an astonishing 83,225 hectares by 2050.
“To put this into perspective, these targets would encompass an area nearly the combined size of Dublin, Limerick, Galway, and Waterford cities by 2030, and by 2050, an area equivalent to the entire agricultural lands of County Leitrim would be affected.”
“While the government asserts that these rewetting plans will be ‘voluntary’, it is crucial to recognize that once finalized, they will become legally binding. This raises significant concerns for Irish food production, farmlands, and the livelihoods of our hardworking farmers,” the Cork South West TD said.
“Adding to the apprehension surrounding the law, several EU member states, including Poland, the Netherlands, Italy, Finland, and Sweden, have expressed reservations about the feasibility and achievability of its objectives. Yet, the Irish government, represented by Minister Eamon Ryan, has chosen to fully support the law without raising any concerns, creating a contradiction between the government’s stance at the EU level and its actions within Ireland.”
“Before embarking on a mission to be seen as the ‘greenest boys in the class’ at the EU level, the government should have carefully considered the potential impact of these proposals on Irish agriculture and farmers’ livelihoods. They should have fully consulted with farmers and rural communities in a meaningful way before committing to any legally binding targets. The livelihoods of farmers and the sustainability of our agricultural sector must be considered, and clearly, this has not occurred in this case.”
“Furthermore, concerns raised by other member states at yesterday’s council meeting, including Poland’s criticism of mandatory requirements to rewet lands and the Netherlands’ assertion that national circumstances are not adequately considered, highlight the growing apprehension surrounding this law.”
“As the EU Council’s adopted position now enters trialogue discussions with the European Parliament and Commission, it is evident that the concerns of rural communities and farmers in Ireland have been left behind. The voices of Irish farmers and rural communities should have been heard, and their interests safeguarded. Instead, what we are witnessing is a railroaded proposal that undermines those interests,” Deputy Collins said.