Irish MEP Ciaran Mullooly has called on the Irish government to provide urgent clarification around the budget for the EU Nature Restoration Law.
The comments come as the new Commissioner-designate for Agriculture and Food, Christophe Hansen told the European Parliament last night (Tuesday, November 6) that there is no dedicated EU budget to support the implementation of the recently passed law.
Independent Ireland MEP Ciaran Mullooly said that this “unexpected disclosure” contradicts previous assurances given to Irish farmers.
Nature Restoration Law
The Nature Restoration Law aims to restore at least 20% of the EU’s land and sea areas by 2030 and all ecosystems in need of restoration by 2050.
EU member states have two years to prepare national restoration plans to quantify the area that needs to be restored and identify the restoration measures necessary to meet the restoration targets.
MEP Mullooly said that commissioner-designate Hansen said that there is no funding that is available to compensate farmers who will be affected by this new legislation.
He said that Hansen suggested that the Just Transition mechanism might be an option, but provided no concrete assurances.
Mullooly claimed that this statement stands in stark contrast to the Irish government’s position when welcoming the introduction of the law earlier this year.
“This is not what Irish farmers were told when the Nature Restoration Law was passed by a very narrow margin in the last parliament.
“It has come as a shock to hear the commissioner-designate state there is ‘no budget’.
“I am calling on the Taoiseach to issue urgent clarification on the proposed fund and budget provision that his government had stated was available when they welcomed the introduction of the Nature Restoration Law,” the MEP said.
Mullooly added that the “revelation” raises serious questions about the implementation of the law and its potential impact on Irish farmers.
He emphasised the need for immediate answers from the government to address this discrepancy and provide clarity on how Irish farmers will be supported in meeting the law’s requirements.
The government previously stated that the €14 billion Climate and Nature Fund will invest in the transition to a low-carbon economy, with €3.15 billion being set aside specifically to invest in environmental projects between 2026 and 2030, including under the Nature Restoration Law.
While the “commitment” of Irish funding under the Climate and Nature Fund is already in place, Minister of State with responsibility for nature, Malcolm Noonan said there needs to be an EU nature restoration fund which is separate to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).