Nature minister Christianne van der Wal has told MPs she will vote against EU legislation on nature restoration when it comes up at the next European Council meeting, in line with parliamentary demands.

The government had planned to vote in favour of the legislation because many of the Netherlands’ objections have been taken into account during the negotiation process. However, last week MPs voted in favour of a motion drawn up by the BBB and NSC calling on her to vote “no”.

Van der Wal said in her briefing she would do this extremely reluctantly because she wanted to show that the Netherlands is a “trustworthy partner in negotiations”.

The European parliament voted in favour of the legislation at the end of last month, after it was watered down following protests by farmers across the continent. The aim of the nature restoration law is to “restore ecosystems for people, the climate and the planet” and to boost biodiversity, reduce climate change and meet international commitments.

The watered-down version sets a target for the EU to restore at least 20% of its land and sea by the end of the decade and all of them in need of restoration by 2050. Farming organisations argue the legislation places too much responsibility on the shoulders of farmers and say they fear the widespread loss of valuable agricultural land due to plans to restore peatlands and wetlands.

Dutch MPs also argue that the Netherlands is not in a position to meet current standards for nitrogen-based pollution and water quality and that new targets will be even more difficult to achieve.

The motion also called on Van der Wal to actively look for other countries which would be willing to block the measure altogether.

“The cabinet places great importance on our strategic position within Europe and wants to remain a trustworthy partner in negotiations,” she told MPs in a briefing. This is also important, she said, in light of “other issues which are currently being discussed”.

European ministers are expected to vote on the legislation on April 12. Germany is also known to have doubts about the plans, broadcaster NOS said.