On 27 September 2021, the European Parliament Intergroup on 'Biodiversity, Hunting, Countryside' held an online conference entitled 'Implementing the Nature Restoration Law for stakeholders and biodiversity in rural areas', organised in cooperation with the European Landowners' Organization (ELO) and the Federation of Associations for Hunting and Conservation of the EU (FACE).

The conference discussed the opportunities and challenges of the European Commission’s ambitious proposal for binding restoration targets, which sets time-bound obligations for ecosystem restoration as well as a comprehensive EU-wide mandate. The proposal aims to cover at least 20% of the EU’s land and sea areas with nature restoration measures by 2030 and to extend them to all ecosystems in need of restoration by 2050.

The opening address was given by Member of the European Parliament Alvaro Amaro, who emphasised that the European Parliament plays a crucial role as an institution that reflects the daily life realities of the majority of land users due to its direct link with citizens [...] It is important not to miss a 'good start' for this legislation and to involve rural residents—such as hunters, farmers, land managers, environmental groups, anglers, and other stakeholders (e.g., local authorities)—in the planning process from the very beginning.

MEP Noichl noted: 'We have opportunities that are rapidly closing to ensure a viable future in the European Union and the rest of the world. So far, EU commitments have proven unsuccessful. Therefore, we must not let the Nature Restoration Law fail. Potential loopholes that could undermine our efforts must be closed. Because nature restoration is our best insurance policy for adapting to climate change and, consequently, preserving long-term food security in Europe.'

MEP Schneider said: 'The European Commission’s proposal is counterproductive to its goal and is too one-sidedly directed against agriculture, failing to take into account the important aspect of food security. I will defend sustainable agriculture based on the three pillars of sustainability: economic viability, environmental protection, and social justice.'

MEP Alexandr Vondra remarked: 'I remain somewhat disappointed. There is not only an administrative burden on Member States, but above all a risk that this burden will not be shared fairly among Member States in order to reach the EU targets. We should also ask where we will get the money for all the proposed measures at a time when dramatically rising energy prices and inflation are significantly affecting our society.'

Stefan Leiner, Head of the Nature Capital and Ecosystem Health Unit at the European Commission, stressed: 'The Commission’s proposal is novel. It is the first comprehensive EU-wide legislation of its kind on nature restoration and is in line with the European Parliament’s resolution on the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, which called on the Commission to develop new legislation with legally binding nature restoration targets. All scientific evidence, including the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report, is clear: the biggest threats to food production and food security are climate change and biodiversity loss. By restoring healthy and biodiverse ecosystems, the legislation will help ensure sustainable economic activity for farmers, foresters, and fishermen, whose livelihoods directly depend on such healthy ecosystems.'

Dr Heidi Kröger, Restoration Expert at the Finnish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, explained: 'Landowners and hunters are key stakeholders in integrating biodiversity into wetland areas. Involving local communities in habitat management promotes cost-effective restoration and supports long-term action at different levels.'

Annegret Larsen, a representative of Wageningen University’s Soil Geography and Landscape Research Group and the EGU Biodiversity Working Group, pointed out: 'As geographers, we are used to thinking on a longer timescale. It is clear to us that climate change and human impact have been and are currently the main drivers of habitat conversion and biodiversity loss. We want restoration projects to focus on restoring ecosystem functions and to create win-win situations for biodiversity, climate protection, climate change mitigation, and people.'

Ariel Brunner, Deputy Director and Head of Policy at BirdLife Europe and Central Asia, stated: 'A strong and rapidly implemented Nature Restoration Law is now a question of survival. Not only for many wildlife species in dire straits, but for our human society as well. Farmers, foresters, landowners, and fishermen are the most exposed to the ravages of climate change and ecosystem collapse. They have the most to gain from serious restoration measures.'

Max Freiherr von Elverfeldt, President of Familienbetriebe Land und Forst, pointed out: 'With the Nature Restoration Law, the EU has chosen the wrong approach to reach the right goals. Instead of strictly protecting forests and other areas, we need to strengthen sustainable management methods to promote biodiversity and climate protection. In the current situation, limiting European production of food and renewable raw materials would be a fundamental mistake, as production constraints not only threaten Europe’s security of supply at a time of severe market disruption and unpredictable global supply chains. They also inevitably lead to the relocation of production to third countries outside Europe, thereby causing carbon leakage and the export of environmental problems.'

The meeting, which had nearly 300 online viewers, was chaired by ELO Scientific Director Jurgen Tack, who also organised an extensive question and answer session.

A video recording of the meeting is available on the 'Biodiversity, Hunting, Countryside' group’s website: www.biodiversityhuntingcountryside.eu/#events