The Nature Restoration Law has been approved by the European Parliament during a vote in Strasbourg. MEPs were asked if they wanted to reject it - that motion was defeated by 12 votes.
Meanwhile, MEP for the Midlands North-West, Maria Walsh voted against her colleagues in the European People's Party when the controversial Nature Restoration Law came before the European Parliament today.
The proposed legislation seeks to restore the health of Europe's natural habitats, more than 80 per cent of which are deemed to be in poor health.
Speaking on the Joe Finnegan Show this morning from Strasbourg, Maria Walsh confirmed that she would be "breaking the whip" and not voting in line with her colleagues.
The Fine Gael MEP said she must vote for what is "best for her constituents" and believes it is "essential" that the text is kept alive in order to safeguard farming and rural communities.
While Ms Walsh does not agree with all aspects of the proposal, however she does believe that funding from the Irish Government is "vital" for farmers in order to make nature restoration a "realistic possibility"
"With the many people I've spoken to about this, there is a lot of confusion," she explained. "In relation to those seeking further funding, we have businesses large and small right across the EU who are involved in the 'Just Transition Fund' yet our farm families who are putting food on the table on a daily basis for people right across the world are simply being left out.
"For me, relying on the common agricultural policy funding is certainly not good enough and that's what these amendments which we will be voting on today will also further clarify. It’s important for farmers to have a clear pathway and strategy as to what is happening within this nature and restoration law."
