A Sinn Fein MEP has welcomed new text that “strikes a balance for nature and farmers” in Europe’s Nature Restoration Law.
Chris MacManus’s comments come after Green Party MEP Grace O’Sullivan voiced concerns that “lies and disinformation” about the proposed legislation was causing fear among farmers last week.
She hit out at Irish parties trying to scupper the law, which aims to restore 20% of EU land and sea by 2030 as well as all ecosystems in need of restoration by 2050.
Read more: Nature Restoration Law: 'No one going to steal farmers' land' says Irish MEP
The European People’s Party, which includes Fine Gael, walked out of negotiations on Wednesday while rallies were held both for and against the Law.
Fine Gael MEP Sean Kelly later said he was “not happy” they left the talks and that he agrees “with the measures in terms of what they want to achieve” but cited “major concerns” about the proposed legislation.
MEPs will vote on the Law, which also includes targets for rural and urban environments, rivers, forests, peatlands, wetlands, marine and all its activities, on June 15.
Sinn Fein’s Chris McManus says while his party and the Left Group had concerns, they stayed in negotiations and won some changes.
He says they include a definition of rewetting and that it must be voluntary for farmers; compensation for nature restoration and new chapters on funding and public participation.
He added: “There has been recent progress in the negotiations that reflects the concerns we raised on behalf of farmers.
“The new additions are sensible and practical and have helped achieve a compromise on the legislation, which secures vital progress in terms of nature protection and restoration.
“Now we have a final agreed compromise text which will be voted in the ENVI committee, and hopefully subsequently in the plenary. “Of course we need a plan to restore nature. This is not in dispute. It is about finding the best and most effective way to do this.”
