EU politicians to plough ahead with nature protection proposals despite EPP withdrawal

It leaves the European Commission proposal to restore at least 20% of the EU’s damaged land and sea areas by 2030, and all ecosystems by 2050, on life support. File picture

European politicians are determined to plough on with the biggest overhaul of nature protection in the EU for three decades, despite the biggest bloc of MEPs walking away from negotiations.

Environmental campaigners reacted with dismay as the European People’s Party (EPP), which represents around 177 of 705 MEPs, including Fine Gael, left negotiations on the Nature Restoration Law on Wednesday.