FDP wants to abolish right of first refusal for nature conservation
According to the FDP, nature conservation in Schleswig-Holstein should lose its right of first refusal for land in nature reserves, national parks or moors. "The right of first refusal in the State Nature Conservation Act must finally be abolished," Parliamentary Secretary Oliver Kumbartzky told the German Press Agency. He spoke of a disproportionate encroachment on freedom of contract.
The State Nature Conservation Act denies farmers their own ecological awareness and responsibility under regulatory law, said Kumbartzky. Land grabbing by the state by means of pre-emption rights is increasingly pushing farmers to the margins and depriving them of their livelihood. "In many cases, by the way, this results in long and costly court proceedings for all sides."
In February, Kumbartzky had already criticized the purchase of land by the Nature Conservation Foundation following an answer from the state government to his minor question. According to this, the right of first refusal was exercised a total of 36 times in 2022 alone, 31 of which were by the Nature Conservation Foundation. In October, a CDU state party conference had spoken out in favor of abolishing the right of first refusal.
The foundation rejected the FDP's accusations. "The right of first refusal is always accompanied by a balancing of interests between agricultural interests and nature conservation concerns," a spokeswoman told dpa. After a thorough examination, the State Office for Agriculture and Sustainable Rural Development makes a decision.
"This ensures that the foundation only receives the pre-emption areas that can only be used for active agriculture to a limited extent at best," said the spokesperson. Most of the pre-emption areas are moorland parcels that are smaller than two hectares and are of central importance for biological climate protection.
The FDP's proposal to abolish the right of first refusal for nature conservation in Schleswig-Holstein has received support from the CDU at a state party conference. Parliamentary debates regarding this issue may soon take place in Parliament, discussing the potential impact on both farming and nature conservation.
Despite the FDP's criticism of the Nature Conservation Foundation's use of the right of first refusal, many of the pre-emption areas acquired by the foundation are essential for biological climate protection, primarily in the form of small, nutrient-poor moorland parcels.
Source: www.dpa.com
