Filenews 14 July 2023 - by Angelos Nicolaou
The regulation adopted by the European Parliament aims to restore important species and habitats, 80% of which are in poor condition.
In Cyprus, important actions have been taken related to the conservation of Natura 2000 sites, while much more can be done in the future with the adoption of the regulation once restoration measures are in place by 2030, covering at least 20% of all land and sea areas in the EU.
For the conservation of species and habitats, works are underway in the area of Ammos tou Kambouri to restore the illegalities that have taken place in the area and concern arbitrary and illegal interventions, which among others include the rocking of the coastline, the alteration of the rocky beach, the deforestation of natural vegetation and the creation of an artificial cove.
Oroklini Lake in Larnaka district is also an excellent example of a wetland that has been properly restored, protected and managed through a project in which BirdLife Cyprus participated together with the competent authorities. A small restoration has been done in Larnaka Salt Lakes where there was a shooting range which has ceased its operation.
However, restoration measures have not been taken to restore the habitat of Paralimni Lake, where various activities were operating illegally, while it is noted that even today various activities are observed incompatible with the protection status of the area.
The Nature Restoration Regulation essentially aims to restore degraded natural areas in the EU.
After a heated debate in the plenary of the European Parliament, the legislation on nature restoration was approved on Wednesday, with 336 votes in favour, 300 against and 13 abstentions. It is now ready to start negotiations with the Council on the final form of the legislation. The legislation will only apply once the Commission presents data on the necessary conditions to ensure long-term food security.
The regulation found a wave of support from civil society, many bodies, the scientific community (there are more than 6,000 scientists) and many organized groups, including the European Hunters Federation (FACE) and the Cyprus Hunting Federation). The same group was joined by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the United Nations (UN) Environment Programme, the European wind and solar energy associations Wind Europe and Solar Power Europe, as well as large multinational companies and companies.
The Game and Fauna Service welcomes the vote in favour of the regulation. According to the Agency, although on some issues the regulation seems to have been amended by the European Parliament in relation to the original objectives, however, the big picture remains that the regulation has been voted in favour and its final form will be formed in the near future. It stresses that the regulation aims to restore nature, preserve biodiversity and habitats and will contribute to the European Green Deal and tackle the climate crisis. The Game and Fauna Service, within the framework of its responsibilities, will contribute to the implementation of the regulation, which will be of multiple benefit to the country.
Satisfaction from the Federation of Hunters KOK & DAZ which welcomes the adoption of the regulation on nature restoration by the plenary of the European Parliament. According to the Federation, it is another tool for preserving the environment, biodiversity, mainly small game and the sport of hunting.
European Union institutions are urged to agree immediately on a final text to start implementing the nature restoration law as soon as possible, BirdLife Cyprus said.
"BirdLife Cyprus recognises the Cypriot MEPs, Dimitris Papadakis, Costas Mavrides, Niyazi Kızılyürek and George Georgiou, who rose to the occasion and supported the regulation, while we express our disappointment with the stance of Eleni Stavrou, who voted against the law, despite the fact that the Cypriot government, through the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment Minister Petros Xenophontos supported the regulation at the Council meeting a few weeks ago. The Loucas Fourlas was absent during yesterday's vote," it added.
The MEP Demetris Papadakis states that "the anxiety of young people for the future of the planet, the warnings of the scientific community and the voice of reason, prevailed over interests and human greed towards nature". Today, he notes, European habitats are on a path of gradual extinction. The European Commission has sounded the alarm, warning that 80% of Europe's ecosystems are slowly dying.
The Green Movement – Citizens' Cooperation expresses its satisfaction and joy for the European Parliament's vote in favour of the nature restoration regulation. "The implementation of this regulation will contribute positively to the protection of water, public health and the preservation of the environment and habitats," he underlines.
In favor of Cyprus, strict timetables
Small states such as Cyprus, but also larger ones, believe that the timetables set out in the regulation on nature restoration will make their implementation difficult. Speaking to "F", the Director General of the Environment Costas Hadjipanayiotou said that Cyprus, which agrees on the substance of the regulation, submits and expresses specific views to the Council and the working groups of the European Council with the aim of giving flexibility to the timetables adopted with the adoption of the regulation.
He explained that the latest decisions of the European Parliament last Wednesday have not been studied so far by member states. According to Mr. Chatzipanagiotou, decisions are transferred to the member states, studied and then within the framework of the Council of Environment Ministers, the positions of the 26 member states are decided.
The Director-General for the Environment said that Cyprus supports the nature regulation as long as it improves degraded areas. He noted that the implementation of the regulation will also have a large financial cost for member states, which must be taken into account. A group of Member States, including Cyprus, proposed the creation of a specific tool to finance the needs of the nature restoration regulation. It is expected, he added, that in the autumn there will be a comprehensive position at the level of Environment Ministers.
It is possible, he concluded, to discuss a general agreement at the Council of Environment Ministers next October. It is noted that the final text of the regulation will be agreed after negotiations between representatives of the European Parliament, national governments and the European Commission.
INTERVENTION
Cyprus is one thing, the DISY group is another
The European People's Party, as the main political force to vote against the proposal, had expressed concerns about food security, due to the changes that nature restoration can bring. This line was followed by one of the two MEPs (the second was absent) who belong to this political group and come from DISY, despite the fact that this position is contrary to Cyprus' national policy on nature protection. In fact, the whole process began and there were clear positions on the previous government in which DISY ruled. Also, the adoption of the regulation was preceded by the adoption of the law by the EU Council of Environment Ministers, including the support of the Republic of Cyprus.
