MEPs Reject Commission’s Proposed Nature Restoration Law in Close Vote

MEPs Reject Commission’s Proposed Nature Restoration Law in Close Vote

(IN BRIEF) The Environment committee of the European Parliament (MEPs) has failed to secure a majority vote on the Commission’s proposed Nature Restoration Law. Following a series of voting sessions held on June 15 and June 27, the Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety rejected the amended EU nature restoration law. The final vote resulted in 44 votes in favor, 44 against, and 0 abstentions, falling short of obtaining a majority. The next step is for the committee to present the proposal to reject the Commission’s proposal to the plenary session of the Parliament, which will make the final decision, likely during the July session in Strasbourg. The Commission’s proposal, introduced as part of the European Green Deal on June 22, 2022, aims to contribute to the recovery of damaged nature across the EU’s land and sea areas and achieve climate and biodiversity objectives.

(PRESS RELEASE)  BRUSSELS, 27-Jun-2023 — /EuropaWire/ — The European Parliament, the EU’s only directly-elected institution and one of the legislative bodies of the European Union, announces that after a lengthy voting process, the Environment committee of the European Parliament (MEPs) has been unable to secure a majority in favor of the Commission’s proposed Nature Restoration Law.

During the voting sessions held on Thursday, June 15, and Tuesday, June 27, the Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety reviewed and deliberated on amendments to the Commission’s proposal. Ultimately, the committee rejected the amended EU nature restoration law, as it fell short of obtaining a majority consensus, with 44 votes in favor, 44 against, and 0 abstentions.

Next Steps

The Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety intends to present the proposal to reject the Commission’s proposal to the plenary for further consideration. The entire Parliament will then be required to take a stance, with the July plenary session in Strasbourg anticipated as the likely platform for this decision, pending approval of the agenda by the Conference of Presidents.

Background

As part of the ambitious European Green Deal, the Commission introduced a regulation on nature restoration on June 22, 2022. This proposal aims to facilitate the long-term recovery of damaged ecosystems across the European Union’s land and sea areas, while contributing to the achievement of the EU’s climate and biodiversity objectives.

Media contact:

Thomas HAAHR
Press Officer
(+32) 2 28 42976 (BXL)
(+33) 3 881 72033 (STR)
(+32) 470 88 09 87
thomas.haahr@europarl.europa.eu

SOURCE: European Parliament