The legislative proposal, first drafted two years ago, aims to repair decades of damage to wildlife on land and in waterway by obliging Member States to restore at least 20% of habitat areas in poor condition by 2030, 60% by 2040, and 90% by 2050, making them the first legally binding targets to restore ecosystems in the EU. The legislation was scheduled for approval on 25 March, but the vote was adjourned as it became clear that the legislation would not pass the final stage with the required majority, after eight Member States, opposed to the legislation.
This is a major setback for the EU's environmental agenda, as it means that the bill has little to no chance of being adopted. The last chance for the Belgian Presidency to submit any significant changes to the European Parliament is at the end of April, before the European elections in June.
This text comes at a time of protests by farmers throughout the Union, to which political decision-makers are trying to respond. As the protests continue ahead of the June elections, many environmental rules have been weakened.