Going it alone in Brussels?

Gewessler: Does not need Totschnig’s approval

Thick air between Environment Minister Gewessler and Agriculture Minister Totschnig

(Bild: APA/Helmut Fohringer)

The dispute between the ÖVP and the Greens over the EU renaturation law is escalating. The federal states had previously blocked the implementation of the law, but then the red governments of Vienna and Carinthia made a U-turn. However, the federal states were unable to reach a decision on Friday.

Rejection came from Lower Austria's state councillor Susanne Rosenkranz (FPÖ), for example. She explained that the regulation was vaguely worded: "My aim was to ensure something like a uniform approach in the process. Regardless of whether you are for or against, you should have a common goal despite differing opinions. Unfortunately, this was not achieved," commented Carinthian state councillor Sara Schaar on the lack of a decision. And the decision of the federal states also puts Environment Minister Leonore Gewessler under pressure. After all, the opinion of the provinces is legally binding. And therefore the minister cannot give her approval.

The ÖVP, for example, is opposed to the EU renaturation law. Federal Chancellor Karl Nehammer described the regulation as a "dramatic example of the over-regulation mania in Brussels". However, the coalition partners are not only arguing about the content, but also about who is responsible. Agriculture Minister Norbert Totschnig (ÖVP) believes that if the previously unified position of the federal states were to end, the regulation would also affect his department and not just Gewessler's ministry.

Thick air between Environment Minister Gewessler and Agriculture Minister Totschnig

(Bild: APA/Helmut Fohringer)

Gewessler takes a completely different view: "If Agriculture Minister Totschnig can weaken environmental protection standards in Brussels without my agreement on agricultural policy, on the common agricultural policy, then the reverse must also be possible," says Gewessler.

Different legal opinions
The legal experts disagree. European law expert Walter Obwexer supports the ÖVP view and believes that Gewessler needs the approval of Totschnig as well as Finance Minister Magnus Brunner and European Affairs Minister Karoline Edtstadler (all ÖVP).

Other lawyers disagree. In the view of Daniel Ennöckl, Director of the Institute of Law at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (Boku), the way is clearly clear for Gewessler as soon as a federal state has officially withdrawn from the blocking "uniform state opinion". According to the Federal Constitutional Law (B-VG), it could then vote in favor of the EU regulation without the consent of the other ministries.

The EU project is about reviving destroyed natural paradises.

(Bild: Scharinger Daniel)

If Agriculture Minister Totschnig can weaken environmental protection standards in the common agricultural policy in Brussels without my consent, then the reverse must also be possible.

Umweltministerin Leonore Gewessler

WWF sharply criticizes Nehammer
If Gewessler goes it alone, Nehammer insinuates that this would be to the detriment of Austrian agriculture. Austria is an exemplary Naturland anyway and therefore does not need any new over-regulation by the Brussels bureaucracy on this point. WWF Austria strongly criticizes these "misleading and false statements" by Nehammer and his Agriculture Minister Totschnig.

Strengthening food security
"The political rejection of the law lacks any, but really any scientific basis. The two politicians (...) are damaging Austria's reputation in Brussels," WWF expert Joschka Brangs rails against the ÖVP. "Intact ecosystems are our most important allies. The EU law would therefore also strengthen food security in the long term and would be an all-round solution to many problems."

Fight against global warming
The EU law provides for more forests to be reforested, moors to be rewetted and rivers to be restored to their natural state. In detail, EU-wide targets are set on how nature can regain its rights so that global warming can be effectively combated. The most important aspect is that the member states can decide for themselves how they want to achieve these targets. This means that they can also take into account the differences between the individual regions.

Scientists put pressure on politicians
After lengthy negotiations, the law was passed in a watered-down form in the EU Parliament. At the end of March, however, the final approval of the law by the environment ministers was postponed at short notice.

Scientific experts throughout Europe are in favor of the planned regulation, most recently including more than 170 ecologists from Austria.

Hand in hand with soil strategy
"In view of the climate and biodiversity crisis, stable harvests are only possible in the long term if fields are embedded in an intact natural environment," adds Brangs. He also criticizes the inaction of politicians with regard to the still rampant soil sealing: "This is precisely where the government must intervene quickly and curb the threatening land grab. This could go hand in hand with renaturation."

The Mayor of Vienna has changed his mind

(Bild: APA/FLORIAN WIESER)

Ludwig brought movement to the discussion
As reported, Vienna's Mayor Michael Ludwig (SPÖ) has most recently earned himself some eco-laurels, as he recently gave up his blockade and has now even put his own proposals for solutions on the table. The SPÖ is hoping to attract disappointed Green voters.

"The opinion of the federal states is legally binding. It is a key step that is still outstanding, which is why I am asking the provincial governors Michael Ludwig and Peter Kaiser (both SPÖ, note) for clarification," said Gewessler on Friday.