MEP Gyöngyösi: we can’t put even heavier burdens on European citizens

In a civilized world, every responsibly-minded person knows that it’s our common goal and duty to protect and preserve nature for the future generations. That’s why I welcome the fact that nature conservation has become a key aspect for political decision makers, and no major resolution is prepared and adopted now without considering the environmental impacts.

On the other hand, we must realize that fundamentalist, extremist thinking has reared its ugly head in the context of nature conservation, too. Almost on a daily basis now, extremist groups are abusing the cause of environmentalism to damage property, harass people and disturb the functioning of society. 

And now we also have the “dark green” politicians who are fixated on one single cause and demand such radical steps which, by any common sense, can never be executed, and in fact even hurt the cause as they trigger a lot of backlash, and for good reason.

This nature restoration law fits among those demands. It’s not that nature is unimportant. But people’s livelihood and welfare are important, too. These factors are vital for us to continue research and development so that technology and science can find new solutions for the challenges we face, in the area of nature conservation, for example.

Now when Ukraine is devastated by war, the cost of living is increasing and our world is breaking up into blocks, we can’t put even heavier burdens on European citizens by taking measures that would cause even higher food prices or put farmers out of business.

This is why I won’t support the Nature Restoration Law in the European Parliament’s vote.

Disclaimer: the sole liability for the opinions stated rests with the author(s). These opinions do not necessarily reflect the official position of the European Parliament.

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