BirdWatch Ireland Warns EU Nature Law Rollback Threatens Irish Habitats
In the name of environmental protection, a recent BirdWatch campaign argues that birds should be protected under proposed new EU laws that would ease biodiversity assessments. This stems from BirdWatch Ireland’s Hands Off Nature campaign, which staunchly advocates for biodiversity protection and wildlife ecosystems, particularly bird ecosystems. As of August 2026, the campaign coalition reported that more than 600,000 people had signed a petition calling on the EU to refrain from weakening its nature protection laws.
For Ireland, this debate has particular significance. The country is walking a tightrope between insatiable demands for urban development and energy and biodiversity loss. The campaign criticizes the easing of EU biodiversity laws, arguing that the proposed changes would undermine necessary protections for birds and their habitats.
Previously, in an October 2026 statement, BirdWatch Ireland deemed nature restoration funding insufficient. Although the organization acknowledged a €6 million increase in funding for the National Parks and Wildlife Service, it argued the funding remained insufficient for the scale of the biodiversity crisis.
These EU Laws are pivotal for pollution prevention. Industrial development near wild areas pollutes surrounding formerly protected water bodies. With this in mind, environmental assessments help develop policies that mitigate or prevent harm. Without such assessments, water quality may not be monitored regularly or as frequently.
The article warns against industrial pollution. Pollutants can reach food through several routes. Agricultural run-off may deposit pesticides and excess fertilisers into waterways, while industrial and other human activities can release chemicals into water or land, harming aquatic and land wildlife.
The article warns about pollution’s effects on food. According to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), metallic, chemical, or microbiological waste can contaminate food as part of pollution cycles. Such contaminants if accumulated in a large enough quantity in food can cause health risks with a high level of severity including cancer, as outlined in the article.
Oonagh Duggan, Head of Policy and Advocacy at BirdWatch Ireland, is a spokesperson for the Hands Off Nature campaign. She argues strongly for EU Laws such as the Birds and Habitats Directives, which protect bird habitats. She has researched the link between biodiversity and protecting Ireland’s natural ecosystems.
This campaign is particularly relevant to Ireland, where biodiversity conservation remains a significant policy challenge. BirdWatch Ireland reported in October 2024 that 63% of Irish bird species were classified as Red or Amber-listed Birds of Conservation Concern. The Hands Off Nature coalition stated on 1 October 2025: “Our clean water, our fresh air, and our nature are not red tape – and we need the European Commission to stand by these laws, not gut them.”
Sign the petition here:
https://birdwatchireland.ie/our-work/advocacy-policy/campaigns/handsoffnature/?utm=.share.native_android
