EU Nature Restoration Law threatens German farmers and foresters

A legal expert opinion commissioned by the German Farmers' Association (DBV), AGDW – Die Waldeigentümer, and Fablf warns that the EU Nature Restoration Law (WVO) could lead to significant restrictions on land and forest management.

According to the study by HSA Rechtsanwälte, the regulation threatens the principle of voluntary conservation. Legal expert Dr. Konrad Asemissen suggests that if Germany fails to meet restoration targets through voluntary measures, mandatory restrictions via administrative law could be imposed. These potential mandates might include limitations on fertilization, plant protection, and soil cultivation. Furthermore, the report notes that even new stable constructions could be prohibited if restoration occurs on adjacent lands.

The EU mandate requires member states to implement restoration measures on at least 20% of suitable land areas by 2030, with specific targets for peatlands and forests. The legal opinion also criticizes a lack of transparency regarding how restoration areas and measures will be specifically designated in Germany, noting that existing national subsidy programs might be reclassified as restoration measures, creating further legal uncertainty.