Does the EU Nature Restoration Act allow regenerative agriculture?

Regenerative agriculture is, concretely, Not yet officially defined. SAI, an association of agricultural businesses that practice regenerative agriculture, Definitions“a results-based approach to agriculture that improves soil, biodiversity, water, climate and farmers' businesses” The Sustainable Food Trust and Food and Land Use Coalition (FOLU) developed Regen10 as a joint program. Last year we developed a framework This has encouraged a holistic approach to regenerative agriculture.

One thing is certain: the goal of this program is to restore and regenerate the land. This may involve restoring biodiversity, protecting soil or taking care of the ecosystem. But it primarily focuses on agricultural practices that create a healthy ecosystem.

New European Union Nature Restoration LawSimilar objectives. It is part of the EU's biodiversity strategy and sets targets to restore degraded ecosystems, including wetlands. forests, grassland rivers and marine systems. The objective is to limit global warming and restore biodiversity. But above all, it will contribute to the pollination of crops. The project aims to restore at least 20 percent of the EU's land and water by 2030 and all ecosystems in need of repair by 2050.

Janez Potocnik is co-chair of the International Resource Panel of the United Nations Environment Program. She said: “Anyone who questions the need for a strong nature restoration law is actually questioning the fact that humans are part of nature. I don't think this is the right place. »

What is the EU Nature Restoration Act and how does it apply to regenerative agriculture?

The law aims to increase the amount of organic carbon stored in soils and cultivated land, as well as the proportion of land with a high diversity of landscape characteristics.

It also aims to increase populations of meadow birds and meadow butterflies.

Olivia Boothman, head of the Sustainable Food Trust's global agricultural metrics project, says this aligns with the principles of regenerative agriculture. The EU Nature Restoration Act recognizes, in a positive way, that agriculture can be part of the solution to the current nature crisis when practiced according to regenerative principles. This is a significant shift from current discourse that tends to separate nature from food production.

A regenerative agricultural model works with nature in harmony and relies on nature for ecosystem services such as pollination. This style of farming depends on it. Protecting nature will help our farms be resilient in the face of climate change.

She told us that European legislation is aligned with regenerative agricultural goals in general. Regen10's results-based framework aims to achieve goals such as increasing biodiversity and increasing carbon stocks in soils.

Could part of the law constitute an obstacle to regenerative agriculture?

Boothman said implementing a similar law would carry risks. She told us that laws like this separated restored and agricultural lands.

She told us that the law does not encourage such separation. However, policymakers must remain cautious. Nature restoration laws, without a national land use plan, could unintentionally lead to a separation between agricultural land and “natural” land. This would force remaining land to be more intensive in order to maintain yields. This would not only hinder the regenerative agriculture movement, but also our society's progress toward climate and environmental goals.

She also suggested it was important for policymakers to consider nature restoration laws in the context of key factors such as food security and the push toward a net-zero economy.

She told us that it is important to also take into account the opinions of farmers. She said the EU's common agricultural policy has always ignored farmers, especially those on small farms.

Due to their smaller size, these farms can be more dynamic and adopt regenerative methods. However, this requires a change in mentality. But if we want to restore nature, it is important that farmers are involved.

She told us that “ensuring this transition is fair and equitable gives nature restoration and other benefits that can be achieved by adopting regenerative agriculture the best chance of success and sustainability.” At the heart of this is the radical inclusion of all parties involved.” was in his heart.

What are the different ways countries can implement nature restoration laws?

The implementation of EU law is the responsibility of each EU member state. The commission expects member states to submit their plans within two years of the law's enactment. The plans are different in each state and the policies that are implemented will depend on the context.

Understanding context is a key part of regenerative agriculture. Farms are not created equal and will respond differently depending on ecological, socio-cultural and economic characteristics. This principle, combined with an effective land use strategy, should be used when governments develop their national restoration plans. This will ensure maximum achievement of the objectives of the Nature Restoration Act,” Boothman said. Boothman suggested that working with farmers on developing targets is one way to ensure that context is taken into account.

Boothman said government departments must work together to harness the potential of agriculture, particularly regenerative agriculture, as a tool to combat crises such as climate change, overfishing and nature degradation, food security or deforestation

It is important that the government works together to make these changes. in their transition to more sustainable agriculture and their contribution to valued society, both as food producers and caretakers