The Irish Natura and Hill Farmers’ Association (INHFA) is ramping up its campaign against the proposed EU Nature Restoration Law.
On Monday (March 25), a deputation led by INHFA national chair Pheilim Molloy addressed members of Donegal County Council during their monthly meeting about the controversial directive.
Councillors supported a motion calling on the Irish government to reject the proposed law in its current form, “due to the very serious impact that the law will have on farming and associated economic activity within the county”.
The deputation was facilitated by Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council Cllr. Martin Harley who told Agriland that councillors were happy to back the motion once some details around the law were clarified.
The INHFA now wants other county councils around the country to pass similar motions.
INHFA
INHFA national chair Pheilim Molloy told Agriland that the farm organisation’s concerns on the Nature Restoration Law are “well known” at this stage.
However, he said there has been little debate or dialogue at a national level about the potential implications of the law.
“While Minister [for the environment Eamon] Ryan continues to push for the adoption of the law it is critical that he, the government and European institutions know that, his opinion is not representative of our farmers, rural Ireland and the elected representatives in County Donegal,” he said.
Molloy encouraged other councils to “follow the lead taken by Donegal and pass this or similar motions which will help to reinforce the message that the law is flawed and must not be enacted”.
Nature Restoration Law
The controversial Nature Restoration Law is currently facing an uncertain future after a meeting of EU environment ministers on Monday.
It had been expected that the ministers would give the final green light to the law, following its adoption by the European Parliament in February, which followed on from an agreed text emerging from the complicated trilogue process in November.
On Friday, a preliminary vote among member states’ non-ministerial representatives was called off due to several member states indicating a lack of support for the law in its current form.
On foot of that decision, the ‘official’ vote on the law by ministers was also postponed, with no date fixed for another vote.
The Green Party said that Ireland “will continue the fight for the Nature Restoration Law”, claiming that the law is “faltering” due to “a campaign of misinformation from right-wing and populist groups”.