New EU nature law will fail without farmers, scientists warn

There have been protests across Europe – such as this one in Kraków, Poland – against the EU’s nature restoration law. Photograph: Dominika Zarzycka/NurPhoto/REX/Shutterstock

The EU’s nature restoration law will only work if it is enacted in partnership with farmers, a group of leading scientists has said, after months of protests have pushed the proposals to the brink of collapse.

In an open letter, leading biodiversity researchers from across the world said that efforts to restore nature are vital for guaranteeing food supplies – but farmers must be empowered to help make agriculture more environmentally friendly if the measures are to succeed.