The government has sold large expanses of “Natura 2000” lands as part of a scheme to sell land to farmers.

Lawmaker Benedek R Sallai of green LMP, along with 51 other opposition lawmakers, has asked the court to annul the relevant regulations to preserve wildlife. In its ruling on Tuesday, the court established that the measures resulting in or risking the deterioration of the environment in these areas are unconstitutional even if legislation is unchanged.

Current legislation does not guarantee the same level of protection for privately owned “Natura 2000” lands as it does to state-owned ones, it said.

The court said that parliament should regulate the sale and utilisation of Natura 2000 lands in line with the basic law until June 30, 2018. The Constitutional Court on Tuesday also said that some rules governing National Land Fund assets breach Hungary’s fundamental law.

Republished with permission of Hungary Matters, MTI’s daily newsletter.