Albert Rösti: “Measures for nature with caution and a sense of proportion”
Published: Sunday, Sep 22nd 2024, 17:30
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Following the No to the biodiversity initiative, Environment Minister Albert Rösti is calling for prudent and measured measures in favor of a diverse and intact natural environment. The population is not against the protection of nature, landscape and townscape.
However, Rösti told the media in Bern on Sunday that voters were against the introduction of stricter rules that would make it more difficult to weigh up protection and benefit. The stricter regulations would have hindered agriculture, residential development, the expansion of renewable energies and tourism.
Protecting nature and biodiversity is also important to the Federal Council. Rösti assured that the approximately CHF 600 million that the Confederation spends on this every year would continue to be used despite the austerity programs. "But we don't suddenly have more money," he pointed out.
The environment minister did not rule out the possibility of additional areas being used for biodiversity. However, he emphasized that the focus is on improving the quality of already reserved areas, especially after the "no" to the initiative.
The second Biodiversity Action Plan will be submitted to the Federal Council by the end of the year, Rösti announced, so that implementation can begin next year. The focus will be on habitats and the development of insects. These are central to the food chain and natural areas.
Together with the cantons, the federal government is protecting valuable biotopes and endangered species, Rösti assured. This has slowed down the decline of animal and plant species.
©Keystone/SDA
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