MEP criticises ‘scaremongering’ around Nature Restoration Law

LOCAL MEP Maria Walsh has rejected criticism of the new Nature Restoration Law adopted by the European Parliament, branding it ‘misinformation’ and ‘scaremongering’.

The Shrule native and her Fine Gael colleagues voted against her EPP Group in the European Parliament chamber when she supported for the adoption of the Nature Restoration Law – a decision that was labelled ‘disgraceful’ by Independent TD Michael Fitzmaurice.

Ms Walsh was on her home patch last Thursday when she accompanied Taoiseach Leo Varadkar on a tour of south Mayo and north Galway. The tour included a visit to the farm of Kevin Moran in Caherlistrane, the 2016 FBD Young Farmer of the Year.

Speaking to The Mayo News before visiting the farm, the Fine Gael MEP, a member of the Midlands-North-West constituency, rejected claims that the law will impact rural Ireland negatively.

“I don’t think it is [bad for rural Ireland]… I have to take my responsibility as a public rep not to be scaremongering and making sure things that are happening in Europe are brought down [to the public] factually. There is a little bit of misinformation going on, particularly around nature restoration… It is around making sure that fine print makes sense. Rewetting was reduced which is positive and new money was put in,” she said, adding: “It is important we are not constantly changing the goalposts particularly for young farmers like Kevin.”

Ms Walsh explained that she has spoken to a number of farmers in her locality since the vote, and she believes it is important that the right policies are in place to protect both the environment and farm families. She said voting against the law would not have achieved that.

“Perhaps shame on me for not getting the message across,” she said, “but if that had happened [if the vote had been defeated] it would have come back into the next Common Agricultural Policy, which is not where it belongs. Right now the CAP in my eyes is not fit for purpose for what it was designed for many years ago. It would have been a disservice to farm communities like those here in Glencorrib if they did that. For me it is about finding that extra funding and making sure all voices are heard at the table.