On Tuesday, the Senate—acting as the first legislative chamber to review the matter—adopted the National Strategy and Action Plan for Biodiversity Conservation (2026-2030), a milestone under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), with amendments proposed by the PSD being approved.

There were 82 votes in favor, 33 against, and 9 abstentions.

One of the changes included in the document stipulates that 'the risk of pollution from nutrients and pesticides must be reduced by 50%,' without this implying a mandatory halving of the quantity of pesticides used in agriculture.

The document further stipulates that any measure restricting the use of agricultural land or reducing its productive potential shall be implemented only through the establishment of mechanisms for full financial compensation, calculated based on actual income loss. Farmers are essential partners in biodiversity conservation and the provision of ecosystem services, with the Strategy recognizing the positive contribution of extensive and traditional farming to maintaining agricultural landscapes of high natural value.

Another adopted amendment provides for the consolidation, optimization, and expansion of the national network of protected areas in line with the 30% protection target, as well as the designation of priority areas for biodiversity to achieve the 10% strict protection target—commitments undertaken at both European and global levels.

The strategy also stipulates, among other things, the restoration of terrestrial, freshwater, and marine habitats; the implementation of methods for monitoring pollinators; the rehabilitation of degraded forest ecosystems; Romania's contribution to the European goal of planting at least three million additional native trees while ensuring species diversity; and the effective management of pathways for the introduction and spread of high-risk invasive alien species.

The leader of the PSD senators, Daniel Zamfir, argued that the initial version of the document would have hindered the development of major infrastructure projects.

'The strategy proposed by the outgoing Environment Minister was fundamentally altered by us in the reviewing committees and, above all, in the reporting committee. A large portion of the provisions originally endorsed by Minister Buzoianu are not included in the strategy. It was absolutely unacceptable for us—those who wish to live and develop this country—to accept what our colleagues from USR wanted to include in this strategy. We absolutely do not want to return to a situation where NGOs manage protected areas. (...) Do you remember the blunder made in 2007, when protected areas were mapped out from an office, without verifying what actually existed on the ground? (...) We have devised a strategy that ensures a balance. Developing Romania is far more important than protecting certain little fish and little birds that exist only in some people's dreams. The strategy strikes a balance; the primary objective is to enable Romania's development—while, admittedly, taking the environment into account,' stated Daniel Zamfir, leader of the PSD senators.

AUR Senator Stefan Geamanu considers the strategy to be a 'surrender agreement,' thereby explaining his vote against this legislative act.

'I ask you, the PSD-PNL-USR coalition: what does this strategy actually achieve by expanding protected areas? It kills Romania; it kills any chance for infrastructure. Is that what you want? A Romania without highways (...), without irrigation systems, but with protected frogs. An impoverished Romania, just to look 'green' in Brussels. You aren't protecting nature; you are bringing agriculture to its knees,' added Geamanu.

Glad Varga, a PNL senator, highlighted that the strategy establishes directions and priorities, rather than being a regulatory law.

'If we do not adopt the strategy, we could lose a billion. The biodiversity strategy is a tool for planning policies to conserve national heritage,' Varga pointed out.

USR Senator Stefan Palarie was of the opinion that the strategy could have simply been a Government decision, given that it is an executive act.

'The PSD has started claiming—falsely—that this strategy would block investments or stifle the business environment. This is a fundamental error, a lie—a 'Zamfir-ism'—for the simple reason that an operating permit already issued for a hydroelectric plant remains valid. Obtaining a new permit involves the same procedural steps. A strategy document imposes no new obligations on the affected parties (...) In short, however, our PSD colleagues have also introduced cynical elements that could lead the Commission to refuse to recognize this milestone as fulfilled,' Palarie explained.

For her part, PACE-Întâi România Senator Nadia Cerva emphasized that the document should have been adopted via a Government decision rather than in Parliament.

'It is pointless to try to force through Parliament measures aimed at securing PNRR funds, because sooner or later, all these acts will be struck down by the Constitutional Court. And it is a shame to drag the Romanian Parliament into a process that makes a mockery of the Constitution and current legislation,' stated Cerva.

The National Strategy and Action Plan for Biodiversity Conservation 2026-2030 will be debated and voted on by the Chamber of Deputies, the decision-making body in this instance. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Livia Popescu; EN - writing by: Catalin Cristian Trandafir)