A conservation law intended to restore habitats to their natural condition came into force on Sunday, as announced by the European Commission.

According to the German Press Agency (dpa), the conservation law sets a target for the EU to restore at least 20 percent of the bloc's land and sea areas by 2030 and all ecosystems in need of restoration by 2050 by regrowing forests, re-wetting moors and returning rivers to their natural, free-flowing states.

The law is considered controversial particularly because of fears of heavy restrictions on farmers.

The EU Commission said that member states would themselves decide which specific measures are to be implemented on their territory.

According to EU figures, around 80 percent of habitats are in poor condition. In addition, 10 percent of bee and butterfly species are threatened with extinction and 70 percent of soils are in an unhealthy state.