We need achievable targets for biodiversity instead of irresponsible burdens

The European Parliament (EP) has adopted its position on the new EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030. Fidesz MEP Edina Tóth emphasized respecting the maintenance of biodiversity is essential; however, the current EP report does not strike a balance between the environmental, economic and social conditions for sustainability. She emphasized that the biodiversity strategy should be implemented in such a way that it would be an opportunity and not an insurmountable burden for the actors of Hungarian agriculture, which could also result in an increase in food prices. She added: Only well-thought-out goals and rules for European agriculture can be accepted for Hungary. According to Fidesz MEP Balázs Hidvéghi, the EU cannot impose commitments on our farmers that lack any scientific basis. The Commission did not act responsibly by publishing its proposal without an impact assessment. “Only in the knowledge of this information can a substantive negotiation or any commitment be made,” he added.

The new EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 states that 30% of the EU’s territory must be a protected natural area and 25% an organically farmed area. Regarding the EP’s position on the strategy, MEP Edina Tóth emphasized that work and efforts to halt the loss of biodiversity should be supported. However, to achieve this, EU farmers must first be given the opportunity to meet the strict organic farming commitments set out in the report. “The European left’s proposals in the report may make the work of Hungarian farmers complicated, and this may also lead to an increase in food prices. The proposal’s targets are difficult to meet, and in the absence of flexible solutions and methods, they could jeopardize not only EU competitiveness but even food security,” she added.

MEP Balázs Hidvéghi stressed that we cannot let food and raw material prices to rise drastically. The Fidesz politician emphasized that decisions on forestry were being made in the wrong order: first, a new EU Forestry Strategy would have been needed, but now our foresters are being presented with ready-made facts. Sustainable forest management contributes to the conservation of forest biodiversity. “Hungary is committed to sustainable forest management. We believe that the multifunctional role of forests needs to be strengthened in order to achieve the EU’s climate protection and biodiversity objectives. Hungary’s goal, for example, is to increase forest and wooded areas to 27% by 2030. The EP report does not address sustainable forest management in line with these objectives,” he added.

According to the Fidesz MEPs exchanging views with stakeholders is of outmost importance. “Measures that would reduce the EU’s competitiveness, jeopardize food security and depopulate rural areas must be avoided,” they emphasized.