On 30 November, the Grand Committee issued its statement on the government communication on the European Commission's proposal for Nature Restoration Law. In its statement, the Committee states that sustainable and justly implementable regulation must be developed, so that we can further the implementation of the goals of the EU's biodiversity strategy and stop the loss of nature. The Grand Committee emphasizes that Finland is committed to the UN Convention on Biodiversity and the EU's Biodiversity Strategy, the goal of which is to turn biodiversity into a path of recovery by 2030.
The Grand Committee considers the promotion of biodiversity important but does not support regulation in the form presented by the Commission. The Grand Committee considers that the regulation should not impose a disproportionate burden on the state finances of the Member States. The Grand Committee agrees with the Government's position, according to which the goals of the proposal must be ambitious, but feasible. Regulation must be socially, economically, and ecologically sustainable.
The Grand Committee considers it very important that the regulation takes into account the different natural conditions and other special features of the Member States and leaves enough national room for manoeuvre in the implementation of the regulation. Attention must also be paid to the different starting situations of the Member States in improving the natural environment. The Grand Committee also emphasizes that the social acceptability of the proposal is central to reaching the set goals. The Committee considers it important that the regulation takes into account the rights of landowners and the protection of property.
The Grand Committee requires significant changes to the proposal as presented in its statement, consideration of the national forest policy and a significant moderation of the costs incurred by Finland. As presented by the Environment Committee, the Grand Committee decided to send a statement to the European Commission as part of the political dialogue process.