Environmental Pillar

We’ve written to Irish MEPs urging them to vote against ratification of EU–Mercosur

The deal threatens small farms, public health & climate/biodiversity by prioritising multinationals over communities & future generations

We believe in enhanced cooperation with South America but not at any cost

An Taisce stands with fellow members of Environmental Pillar and eNGOs across the EU to say Hands Off Nature.

Have your voice heard.

Let’s defend the laws that protect our future #HandsOFFNature

Send a message and sign petition:
www.environmentalpillar.ie/hands-off-na...

@envpillar.bsky.social

Hands OFF Nature! - The Environmental Pillar Europe - Don’t turn your back on nature! Behind the EU’s ‘simplification’ agenda, crucial environmental safeguards are being quietly dismantled. We’re not calling deregulation by name, but the reality...

Under the Trojan Horse of simplification & cutting red tape, key EU laws that protect clean air, safe water, public health & nature are being weakened. Use our webtool to remind EU leaders to keep their Hands Off Nature. www.environmentalpillar.ie/hands-off-na...

Hands OFF Nature! - The Environmental Pillar Europe - Don’t turn your back on nature! Behind the EU’s ‘simplification’ agenda, crucial environmental safeguards are being quietly dismantled. We’re not calling deregulation by name, but the reality...

Europe - Don’t turn your back on nature! The EU's ongoing “simplification” drive risks setting back nature protection by decades and fails to safeguard us from the climate crisis.  Take Action. Give nature a voice. Sign the petition to say #HandsOFFNature www.environmentalpillar.ie/hands-off-na...

In Ireland the fate of farming and nature are Intertwined—and so are the budgets - Green News Ireland Fintan Kelly, Senior Landuse Officer, Environmental Pillar Many farming families depend on nature and the public money that supports its custodianship. In the same way, wildlife depends on sustainable...

The Nature Restoration Plan, which is currently being developed, is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to secure a bright future for nature & farming alike, but it can only deliver if politicians & farming leaders are honest with farmers and work in their best interests greennews.ie/in-ireland-t...

Faced with triple crises of climate breakdown, biodiversity loss & pollution, we need to ensure environmental laws remain strong

When nature loses, we all lose

Please add your voice - let EU decision-makers understand need to respect scientific evidence and to keep environmental safeguards intact

Hands OFF Nature! - The Environmental Pillar Europe - Don’t turn your back on nature! Behind the EU’s ‘simplification’ agenda, crucial environmental safeguards are being quietly dismantled. We’re not calling deregulation by name, but the reality...

The air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat, the safety of our homes all depend on strong environmental laws. Behind the EU’s ‘simplification’ agenda, crucial environmental safeguards are being quietly dismantled. Take Action: www.environmentalpillar.ie/hands-off-na...

Members of Environmental Pillar and SWAN at a derogation farm

SWAN joined members of @envpillar.bsky.social yesterday on a tour of a derogation farm and talked to Minister Heydon and his team about the need for farmers like these not to have to live with uncertainty, facing another cliff edge on derogation, and instead to provide an off-ramp with supports.

Plan to slash legal costs in environmental cases is against EU law, say lawyers Plan to slash legal fees payable in environmental cases is ‘contrary to EU law and Constitution’

A proposed new fees scale aimed at slashing legal costs payable by public bodies in environmental law cases is contrary to European Union law and would harm environmental protection, the Law Society of Ireland has said www.irishtimes.com/crime-law/20...

High Court action against legal fees cap expected Minister for Environment wants to cap State legal payments to €65,805

1400 submissions on the JR costs cap & the majority appear to be questioning the legal validity of this.

But instead of, you know, actually listening to the public, instead the Gov is said to be 'bracing for a legal challenge'. How about they just don't do it?!

www.irishtimes.com/crime-law/co...

The last 11 years have been the warmest on record globally and Copernicus scientists say they fully expect 2026 to make it 12 out of 12, with the pattern to continue.

Ireland set for more extreme weather as climate data points to worsening trends European analysts register 11-year streak of temperature records with warning of more to come

Ireland set for more extreme weather as climate data points to worsening trends

www.irishtimes.com/environment/...

End the Toxic Pesticide Era - The Environmental Pillar Move to a healthy and biodiverse era The EU is planning a dangerous shift away from science in favour of the chemical industry. Weakening the pesticide law will take us back to pre- Rachel Carson time...

Hi Thomas, you must have missed the campaign we've been running for months on social media and a dedicated page on our website www.environmentalpillar.ie/stopeumercos.... Luckily, over 10,000 others didn't miss our campaign and contacted their politicians!

Defeating the agreement would also support local and indigenous communities, plus environmental NGOs in South America, who have long raised alarm over the risk of accelerated deforestation in the Amazon and Cerrado biomes.

This Irish government's decision to vote against the EU-Mercosur trade agreement upholds EU climate and biodiversity commitments, public health standards, and small-scale agriculture against multinational-driven trade priorities.

It risks unfair competition for Irish beef farmers, threatening the viability of many family farms and undermining farmers' role as custodians of our environment.

The Environmental Pillar has long argued that the Mercosur deal lacks sufficient safeguards to protect Irish family farms and consumers from food produced to lower health standards using inputs banned in the EU.

It's just over 3 weeks since Ireland was found in breach by the ECJ for failing to protect waterbodies from physical damage. The government response? Lower the legal bar for these waterbodies, so the damage can continue, with insufficient justification.

Our waterways are not in safe hands.

Well done and well deserved @elainemcgoff.bsky.social

⚠️In a final vote, the European Parliament sealed the fate of the few remaining environmental safeguards from EU farm policy, the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) putting EU farming at risk⚠️

End the Toxic Pesticide Era - The Environmental Pillar Move to a healthy and biodiverse era The EU is planning a dangerous shift away from science in favour of the chemical industry. Weakening the pesticide law will take us back to pre- Rachel Carson time...

Do you care about biodiversity & clean water? Beware! The European Commission is currently proposing a series of measures to massively deregulate pesticides. Ask your EU Commissioner to block these changes by logging on to www.environmentalpillar.ie/end-the-toxic-pesticide-era/

Take action: Stop the climate-wrecking EU-Mercosur Trade Deal - The Environmental Pillar The EU-Mercosur trade agreement will benefit a handful of big corporations while driving deforestation, the climate crisis and exposing small-scale farmers to unfair competition. Join our call and say...

The EU Mercosur Trade Agreement will benefit a handful of big corporations while driving deforestation, the climate crisis & exposing small-scale farmers to unfair competition. Join our call & say no to this toxic trade deal. Email your ministers & MEPs now www.environmentalpillar.ie/stopeumercos...

BREAKING: Ireland's nitrates derogation has been renewed.🗳️

This has no scientific basis & fails nature, the public, & farmers.

“The evidence simply did not exist to justify renewing Ireland’s nitrates derogation"

"Meanwhile, our precious water and wildlife suffer.”

swanireland.ie/2025/12/rene...

It looks likely that Ireland will indeed get another derogation. This is being widely hailed as a good outcome by our Government, but good for who? Most Irish people want clean water, not a nitrates derogation. Excellent analysis by @elainemcgoff.bsky.social

🚨 Toxic pesticides are poisoning our soils, water & biodiversity. The EU wants to weaken rules — we need to push back.

Call for a rapid shift to nature-friendly, pesticide-free farming.
#EndTheToxicPesticideEra 🐝🦋

Take Action Now 👉 www.environmentalpillar.ie/end-the-toxi...

Judicial review plans are an attack on justice The Government is burying the public consultation for drastic new rules limiting access to the courts over the Christmas period — don't let them away with it

A profound and deeply worrying shift on access to justice. Hard-hitting analysis by @attractaub.bsky.social of the Government’s plans to limit legal challenges in the planning process www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/comm...

Advisers concerned by lack of funding commitment for nature restoration plan Plan is to be published in draft form for public consultation early next year

The advisory committee on nature restoration has expressed “disappointment and frustration” at the exclusion of nature from a significant plan for public spending over the next decade - writes Caroline O Doherty.
www.irishtimes.com/environment/...

Judicial review plans are an attack on justice The Government is burying the public consultation for drastic new rules limiting access to the courts over the Christmas period — don't let them away with it

In this opinion I try to explain the gravely concerning impact of the Govs changes on cost rules for environmental #JR

www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/comm...

Thks to @irishexaminer.bsky.social
#accesstojustice
#aarhus
#EULaw
#IrishConstitution
#Courts
#HumanRights
#HR
#Environment

EU decision-makers are on a mission to roll back vital nature laws

Our response to that? #HandsOffNature

Environmental laws need to be enforced not weakened @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu @jessikaroswall.ec.europa.eu

Read more here 👉 wwfeu.awsassets.panda.org/downloads/eu...

The EU is planning a shift away from science in favour of the chemical industry. This is a threat to our health & biodiversity. Write to your Commissioner by logging on to www.environmentalpillar.ie/end-the-toxic-pesticide-era/ to block these changes & shift the focus to ban harmful pesticides