Biodiversity initiative likely without counter-proposal
Published: Thursday, Dec 7th 2023, 13:20
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The biodiversity initiative will probably be put to the ballot box without an indirect counter-proposal. On Thursday, the Council of States once again rejected a proposal drafted by the Federal Council and subsequently amended by the National Council.
The Council of States decided against the counter-proposal by 25 votes to 18 with one abstention because it did not want to rush through such a proposal, which was only available as a concept. The SP and the Greens wanted to support the counter-proposal. However, the Center Party, SVP and GLP also voted in favour.
This means that the counter-proposal to the biodiversity initiative is off the table for the time being. The initiative calls for more biodiversity areas and more public funding for biodiversity.
Like the National Council and the Federal Council before it, the Council of States recommended a no vote on the biodiversity initiative itself. It decided on this voting recommendation by 32 votes to 12 from the SP and the Greens. According to a press release, the organizations supporting the initiative are now gearing up for the referendum campaign.
Attempt to build a bridge
In the first draft of an indirect counter-proposal, the Federal Council had proposed that biodiversity and protected areas should account for a total of 17% of the country's surface area; today the figure is 13.4%. However, the National Council removed this figure from the proposal.
And in order to build a bridge to the Council of States, the National Council subsequently toned down the indirect counter-proposal, but in vain. The latest version would no longer have focused on biodiversity areas, but on the networking of ecological areas and improvements in biodiversity areas.
"We only have one letter"
Council members voted against fast-tracking the counter-proposal. Beat Rieder (center/VS) reported on behalf of the Environment Committee (Urek-S) that the committee had not been able to deal extensively with the slimmed-down proposal from the National Council, which was only available as a concept, due to time constraints.
Moreover, the federal government and cantons are already pursuing work along the lines of this counter-proposal. There are already sufficient means to protect and improve biodiversity, said Rieder.
He would rather have more time for good quality than less time for poor quality, added Damian Müller (FDP/LU). Daniel Fässler (Center/AI) said that even if there was no need for legislative action, action could certainly be taken in sectors if necessary.
Heidi Z'graggen (center/UR) regretted the lack of a fully formulated, revised counter-proposal: "We only have a letter." She suggested relaunching the issue with a parliamentary initiative as soon as possible. The popular initiative could still be withdrawn before the date set for the vote.
"Another delay"
The initiative committee was not happy about the proposal: "That would be another delay," Urs Leugger-Eggimann, Managing Director of Pro Natura, told Keystone-SDA-Video about the proposal. In view of the ongoing extinction of species, the need for action is enormous.
A minority led by Jakob Stark (SVP/TG) wanted the counter-proposal. Six of the seven points criticized had been mitigated in the concept, said Stark. For example, the cantons would retain their competencies, cities and agglomerations would be included and there would be no changes to agricultural law. "Accepting the proposal makes it possible to make decisions on a sound and clear basis."
The Federal Council, cantons, National Council, agriculture, environment and forest directors as well as small farmers' organizations supported the proposal, added Maya Graf (Greens/BL). "Action is urgent and we must take responsibility," said Céline Vara (Greens/NE).
Rösti in favor of counter-proposal
According to Vara, the initiators are prepared to withdraw the initiative in favor of speed if the issue can be implemented more quickly at legislative level. No measures from the Biodiversity Action Plan have yet been implemented due to a lack of funds.
Environment Minister Albert Rösti also wanted the counter-proposal. The debate left the impression that the counter-proposal met the expectations of the Council members. Rösti said that the balance between urban and rural areas was important to him, both in terms of the economy and protection.
©Keystone/SDA
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