There must be a commitment to farmers when it comes to future targets as part of the Nature Restoration Law. That's according to Monaghan councillor PJ O'Hanlon. The Nature Restoration Law passed in the European Parliaments this week, despite opposition from local farmers across the Northern Sound region. EU policymakers adopted the law with 329 votes in favour, 275 against and 24 abstentions.
It aims to restore 20 per cent of the EU's land and sea by 2030, and all ecosystems by 2050. Speaking on today's Joe Finnegan Show, Cllr O'Hanlon believes the challenge lies from 2030 onwards. He added that farmers have made a number of sacrifices over the years and commitments made to them in relation to the new law must be honoured.
"Agriculture has been one of the biggest economic drivers in this country," said Cllr O'Hanlon. By 2023, they're saying that 25,000 hectares, the targets will be met by using public land, but then the challenge is from 2030-2050. In relation to the incentives and commitments to the people who have been using this land now for a number of years, those commitments are going to have been honoured. In fairness to farmers you can't just turn round and ask them to change overnight, farmers have made a lot of sacrifices over the years."
