Following a statement last week from the EU Commission that acknowledged how funding for the EU LIFE programme may have funded “undue lobbying activities” by environmental NGOs, the Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association (INHFA) are demanding an independent investigation to ascertain the full reach of this miss-appropriation of funds.
Speaking on this National President Vincent Roddy expressed major concern around the relationship between the EU Commission and the environmental pillar, before adding, how “last week’s statement by the commission should not come as a surprise to many as this issue has been in the public domain for some time.”
Indeed, he continued “the decision by the commission to issue their statement at the same time of the Trump tariffs and the judgement against Marine Le Pen would indicate that they are trying to limit the damage by getting the story out when the media and public are otherwise distracted.”
While the link between the use of EU funding for lobbying purposes first started to surface last autumn, the INHFA had pointed to a link as far back as May of last year. At this time there was an opinion poll conducted in six countries opposed to the Nature Restoration Law (Netherlands, Sweden, Finland, Poland, Hungary and Italy) that showed high support levels for nature restoration.
“The fact that the opinion poll was only conducted in these countries indicated clear intent around its objectives which was a point we detailed at the time” added the INHFA President.
However, the main issue relating to the opinion poll was Roddy stated “the body that commissioned the poll, namely #RestoreNature who were supported through the EU LIFE Programme and the European Commission. This fact he continued “is detailed in the first page of their Website where they acknowledge financial support from MAVA Foundation, the European Commission and the EU LIFE Programme.”
While the commission may well maintain that this financial support doesn’t necessarily mean they are supportive of the polling we should, Roddy stated “recognise that these opinion polls definitely benefited EU institutions including the commission in helping to get the Nature Restoration Law (NRL) passed.”
As an independent executive arm of the European Union with responsibility to implement decisions reached by the European Parliament and Council of the EU, it is the farm leader stated “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.”
In concluding the INHFA President stressed “how the concerns outlined by a number of MEPs and others must not be brushed aside which is why we are calling for an independent enquiry to establish all the facts.”