Center-right lawmakers quit EU talks on nature law

The biggest lawmaker group in the European Parliament on Wednesday walked out of negotiations on a landmark EU law to protect nature, dealing another blow to the contested proposal.

The European Commission is attempting to salvage the planned law, which would set binding targets to restore damaged natural environments - hoping to reverse the rapid decline in species and health of ecosystems across the continent.

Political backlash against the proposal has mounted, however, with some governments and farming groups citing concerns about excessive red tape and the impact on farmers.

French President Emmanuel Macron has suggested a pause on new EU environment legislation, while Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo questioned whether the nature law is needed. Meanwhile, the European People's Party - EU Parliament's largest lawmaker group - has called to reject...