How long has the regulation been in force?
Regulation (EU) 2024/1991 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 June 2024 on the restoration of nature and amending Regulation (EU) 2022/869 was published in the Official Journal of the European Union on 27 July 2024 and entered into force on 18 August of the same year.
Our commitment
From the Fontes del Porcía Association (AFP), dedicated to the conservation of biodiversity and the promotion of climate resilience at national level, with special focus on the Porcía River Valley, we express our concern regarding the compliance with the requirements stipulated in the aforementioned Regulation.
Fontes del Porcía is actively involved in the restoration of forest ecosystems and especially in the gradual replacement of non-native forest species. We are concerned about the continuity of eucalyptus plantations in Western Asturias and especially in the Porcía Valley, including the municipalities of Boal, Tapia de Casariego, El Franco and Castropol. This has been, if not the main reason, one of the reasons that has led us to create this Association to somehow monitor and raise our voice against those who are tempted not to comply with the EU Regulation 2024/1991.
What needs to be done before 2026?
Aware of the requirements of Regulation 2024/1991 with a deadline for 2026, we wish to draw these brief lines that can serve as guidelines for the Government of Spain, and where appropriate the Government of the Principality of Asturias, to better meet the requirements of the Regulation.
Fontes del Porcía recommends the following:
- Each council should develop its own local restoration plan;
- Local restoration plans should be integrated into a single regional restoration plan at Autonomous Community level;
- The different regional restoration plans should be integrated into a single national restoration plan as foreseen in the above-mentioned Regulation.
Councils and autonomous communities have the most knowledge about their areas, particularly sensitive areas, shortcomings or needs.
Our association does not intend to dictate what should be done, since compliance with Community Regulation 2024/91 is a national matter and it is up to the governments of the EU Member States, with their best knowledge of their territories, to develop the regulation, adapting it to their specific needs. Nevertheless, we feel it is essential to put on record the need to comply with the aforementioned Regulation and we wish you every success in achieving its objectives.
If you have any doubts regarding the application of this Regulation, please send us an email to correo@fontesdelporcia.com or fill in the contact form.
Together for the restoration of nature in the Porcía river valley!
