Nature Restoration Law, the symbol law of the green deal has run aground.Speaker Luena:“I didn't expect the about-faces of Hungary and the Netherlands” – The interview

Spanish MEP César Luena at Open:«Does the Italian government say that it harms farmers?I trust science more than the far right"

What happened to the Nature Restoration Law?More than a month has passed since the Law on the restoration of ecosystems, one of the most divisive dossiers of the last legislature, was approved by the European Parliament.A vote that remained uncertain until the end and was welcomed with tears, hugs, celebrations and handshakes.For the final adoption of the provision, only the vote of the Council was missing.A step considered a pure formality, if only because the 27 EU states had already expressed their opinion in favor of the compromise achieved last year.However, it didn't happen that way.The definitive green light from the Council has not yet arrived, with several countries (including Italy) holding the provision hostage.«It is a lack of political responsibility.Removing support for an agreement that has already been accepted undermines the credibility of the entire European Union", thunders César Luena, Spanish MEP and rapporteur of the Nature Restoration Law.

Against the background of the lack of approval there are obviously the European elections of 8 and 9 June, an event that increasingly resembles a referendum on the Green Deal, the maxi-package of actions in favor of the environment and the climate in which the European Union has decided to invest a large part of its political capital.Ever since it was first announced, the Nature Restoration Law has turned into one of the harshest battlegrounds of the last legislature.A tug of war that culminated during the farmers' protests at the beginning of 2024, which convinced the European Commission to take a step back on some of the most sensitive dossiers of the Green Deal.It is in the wake of all this that the failure to adopt the Nature Restoration Law, a symbolic law of the European green agenda, which seemed one step away from adoption and now runs the risk of foundering once and for all.“If we don't approve the law, we will end up regretting it,” warns César Luena in this interview with Open.

Did you expect that some countries might withdraw their support on the Nature Restoration Act?

«I thought it would go well.I did not expect a change of position from Hungary, nor did I expect the Netherlands not to support the law, as I personally negotiated with the Dutch minister to incorporate all their considerations into the final text.All this demonstrates a lack of political responsibility.Decisions are made solely for electoral reasons and we are playing with the future and well-being of all citizens.The role of the Belgian prime minister also undermines the law.He is not taking the neutral position and role of negotiator that he should have during the six-month presidency."

Are the delays in adopting the law the result of farmers' protests?

«Many factors have influenced this situation.The ones I talked about earlier and, of course, the farmers' protests.It is truly regrettable that the European People's Party has pitted that category against a law that represents a safety net in the medium and long term.Farmers should be the most interested in the adoption of this law."

If the law were not approved, what would the repercussions be?

«Withdrawing support for an agreement that was previously accepted will lead to a loss of credibility of the European Union and its decision-making process.This mistrust will also be established between the negotiating institutions themselves.In addition to this, we must consider the deplorable international image we give of the European Union, which asks other countries to make efforts that we ourselves are not willing to make."

What impact could this situation have on the European elections?

«We will only know from 6 to 9 June.As I was saying, we must take political responsibility and make decisions that benefit everyone.At the moment this does not happen.And in the future, if the law on nature restoration is not passed, we will regret it."

Can the Council force changes to certain aspects of the law?Or would you send the law back to the beginning of the legislative process?

“If the Council does not accept the law as agreed, we will start the second reading.”

He is still confident that the law will be passed before European elections?

«I hope so.I hope that some of the countries that abstain or vote against today will reconsider their position and vote in favor."

What are you doing to speed up the Council's decision?

«It is not possible to speed up the process without having the necessary support.The objective now is to regain the qualified majority in the Council."

The Italian government has expressed its opposition and claims that the law will have a negative impact on farmers.Is that so?

«It's just a populist argument that arises from the denial of science and reality.They need to say it to stay in power.Science and the dire state of our ecosystems tell us otherwise.I trust science more than a far-right party.They are deceiving you, believe me.70% of the European Union's soils are in poor condition.If we don't restore them, where will farmers be working in 30 years?".

On the cover: EPA/Julien Warnand | Greta Thunberg and other Youth for Climate activists protest outside the European Parliament to demand approval of the Nature Restoration Act (11 July 2023)