Hungary does not want a desert! – Conservationists would reform agricultural subsidies
The Association of Hungarian Nature Conservationists has developed a joint set of proposals for the European Commission (EC) with several international partner organizations, taking into account the aspects of economic recovery and nature conservation, taking into account the elaboration of the receiving measures.
In Hungary, the situation is most critical in the Homokhátság region, where only by developing water retention and enforcing the long-term interests of Hungarian farmers can the management of desertification and the preservation of wildlife be achieved at the same time.
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Green restoration awaiting greening
The problem is that these so-called “Green” restoration, almost exclusively in terms of climate protection and, for example, flood protection, the protection of biodiversity has been almost completely neglected. Thus, most of the measures for the conservation and restoration of natural habitats are missing from the submitted plans according to the MTVSZ.
In Eastern and Central European countries, the amount allocated to biodiversity is less than 1% of the total envelope.
“The climate crisis and the loss of biodiversity are linked at countless points. If an environmentally friendly development, such as a solar park, destroys a valuable green, the resulting natural damage could nullify the environmental and economic results of the development, ”he said. István Farkas, co-chairman of MTVSZ.
That is why MTVSZ, together with the Central and Eastern European Banking Network and EuroNatur, has prepared a joint report and submitted a package of proposals to the European Commission to ensure that the panel ignores investments in nature conservation projects. One of the proposals is for the Commission to prioritize recovery measures that use methods to avoid significant damage. For example, do not approve projects that are too large and lack specific information, such as marking locations. costs for projects that do not comply with the principle of avoiding significant damage.
It is also important that the European Commission clarifies the requirements for strategic environmental assessments and does not approve plans for which the assessments have not been completed. require better monitoring and investigation mechanisms during implementation, including between monitoring committees and complaints mechanisms. Furthermore, require transparency and social participation in the development of plans through legal means. It would also be necessary for nature conservation organizations in Hungary to participate in the monitoring committee of the Restoration Fund.
Hungary does not want a desert
In the case of Hungary, within the green resources of the Hungarian Recovery and Resilience Plan (HET) under negotiation with the European Union
Addressing the water supply of the Sand Ridge, which is particularly threatened by climate change, is one of the most important goals, for which a budget of HUF 44 billion is allocated.
According to MTVSZ alone, the desertification of an area of about 10,000 square kilometers, home to 800,000 people, can only be addressed if designers are also considering the conservation and sustainable use of water in connection with planned developments. For example, water authorities have the right to take into account the public interest in water retention and to reject requests to drain all enclosed areas.
“In return, farmers need to be compensated for providing water retention or other environmental services on their land. This also requires significant reforms in the field of economic support: the land must be abandoned regularly, or where, for cultural environmental reasons, financial support should be provided, ”explained Zsuzsanna Ujj, the nature conservation program manager of MTVSZ. According to the program manager, a comprehensive structural change is needed: a shift from water-intensive, high-biomass crops to extensive land use, such as grassland utilization and grazing. program, local authorities should have the right of pre – emption to acquire land for water retention and other ecological purposes, and irrigation in Natura 2000 sites should be restricted. The proportion of nature conservation projects within water management interventions should be significantly increased.
It is in our social and economic interest to preserve biodiversity
Biodiversity is declining at an alarming rate in Europe and Hungary, and unfavorable processes may be accelerated, and nature conservation aspects will not be enforced in the allocation of development funds for economic recovery and environmental protection, MTVSZ states. We have lost more than three-quarters of our insect population, and nearly a third of our birds associated with agricultural habitats, over the past few decades. Only 13.33% of habitats of community importance are in favorable condition and almost half are in poor condition. Each delay sweeps dozens of species to the brink of extinction.
The process is also worrying because the key to humanity’s survival is to preserve biodiversity. Healthy ecosystems provide food, breathable clean air, drinking water, sure to regulate the climate. Biodiversity also has a direct impact on the economy, as developments with nature can be effective for economic purposes as well.
Recognition of the problem is indicated by the fact that EU Member States have committed themselves to developing a network of “well-managed” protected areas by 2030, covering at least 30% of the EU’s land and sea areas. COVID-19 responds to the financial crisis with a total recovery of € 672.5 billion from the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) launched in February 2021, and 37% for green economic transition, including biodiversity. intended to protect.
Cover image: Getty Images