The European Union's policy to restore damaged nature has been postponed due to Hungary's unexpected withdrawal of support for the bill.
The EU's environment ministers' meeting in Brussels was postponed due to Hungary's decision to withdraw support for the policy, resulting in a slim majority of countries voting against it, leaving ministers uncertain about their next course of action.
The EU's nature law has been criticized for its strict green regulations, prompting farmers to protest against the EU's strict green rules, leading to the EU reducing these rules to suppress the protests.
Hungary's state secretary for environment, Aniko Raisz, expressed concerns about the costs of the agricultural sector, highlighting its importance in Europe.
Belgian environment minister Alain Maron announced ongoing negotiations, but it remains unclear what changes to the law could win over opponents.
The speaker stated that the reasons for opposition to a law for certain countries are unknown and could change over time.
The EU is set to introduce a major environmental policy, requiring countries to restore nature on a fifth of their land and sea by 2030, a move that is highly unusual.
EU diplomats suggest that Hungary's opposition to the law is political, rather than a specific policy issue, as countries have already reduced the law during negotiations.
EU environment commissioner Virginijus Sinkevicius warns that repealing the law would send a negative signal to the EU's credibility, as it pushed for stronger nature protection targets.
Sinkevicius argued that claiming that we can defeat climate change without nature is a deceitful claim.
Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, and Sweden are against the proposed amendment, while Austria, Belgium, Finland, and Poland are planning to abstain from the vote.
The law could be passed by any of the eight countries changing their stance, while the remaining 27 EU member states support the policy.
Spanish climate minister Teresa Ribera emphasized the importance of addressing the growing issue of nature loss and climate change, stating that reducing efforts would be a significant responsibility.
The law aims to restore 81% of Europe's poor-condition natural habitats, but it has faced opposition from governments and lawmakers, fearing it would impose heavy regulations on farmers or conflict with other industries.
