Farmers group express concern following European NRL opinion poll

The Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association (INHFA) have expressed major concern around a recent opinion poll conducted in six European countries currently opposed to the introduction of the Nature Restoration Law (NRL).

The survey, commissioned by the #RestoreNature coalition, was carried out in six EU countries which currently oppose the law and found that 75 percent of citizens are in favour of the legislation.

The poll of almost 6,200 people was conducted by independent research agency Savanta across Poland, Finland, Sweden, Italy, the Netherlands and Hungary earlier this month.

Speaking on this INHFA President Vincent Roddy stated how the opinion polls are clearly designed to put pressure on those countries' national parliaments and the use of opinion polls in this manner is very concerning.

“The fact that the opinion poll was only conducted in six countries opposed to the law and not all EU countries, indicates clear intent around its objectives and you have to wonder, would the poll be published if it didn’t indicate support for the NRL.

“Of course surveys and opinion polls are often conducted by many organisations including ourselves, but what heightens our concern,” Mr Roddy said.

He added: “The body that commissioned the poll #RestoreNature coalition are, based on their own website, receiving financial support through the EU LIFE Programme and the EU Commission.

“While the EU Commission and LIFE Programme will maintain that their financial support for #RestoreNature doesn’t necessarily mean they were supportive of the polling, we should recognise that these opinion polls will definitely benefit EU Institutions anxious to get the NRL passed.

“As the independent executive arm of the European Union with responsibility to implement decisions reached by the European Parliament and the Council of the EU, it is vital that the Commission remain independent and should not in any way be seen to influence policy at member state level, especially when it is policy that they have been so invested in,” he said.

With European elections ongoing Mr Roddy said it is something that all candidates need to reflect on and indicate if it is something that concerns them and what actions are required.

In relation to the findings from the poll the INHFA President compared this to a non-government agency carrying out an opinion poll to see if the public in Dublin were interested in a city wide all-night bus service across all routes.

“Any such poll would see high levels of support comparable to findings from the #RestoreNature commissioned poll. However, no proposal like that would ever be made without consultation and agreement with those most impacted – namely the bus drivers.

“So should farmers, property owners and our rural communities that will be heavily impacted by the NRL not be given the same right,” he concluded.