EU funds and biodiversity – lexis

The EU giveth and the EU taketh away…
This phrase is based on a quotation from the book of Job in the Judaeo-Christian bible but is often misquoted, as it is here. It illustrates the importance of accepting what happens, and that people cannot force a decision from God.
Here it is used as a play on words, to illustrate that the EU is preventing damage and causing damage to the environment. The -eth ending is an old version of English, now replaced by -s.
to spend huge amounts on – to spend large amounts of money on. We can omit the words in bold, as we know what is meant. We often omit key words, and this can be difficult for learners of English.

Another example of this might be: ‘It is a fact that many people drink too much.’ (ie too much alcohol! We do not mean tea or water).
critically – extremely, seriously
to fund – to supply finance for, finance
biodiversity – the number and variety of plant and animal species that exist in a particular environmental area or in the world generally, or the problem of preserving and protecting this.
to be / come under fire 1) to be shot at, under attack of some kind 2) to be rigorously criticised
to undermine – to damage, weaken the basis or foundation of
a case study – a particular study of a topic designed to demonstrate a particular case or principle
to shape – to organise, determine, make clear infrastructure – the basic physical and organisational elements (eg buildings, roads, power supplies) needed for the operation of a society or enterprise
detrimental – adj – tending to cause harm
Natura 2000 – a European network of protected sites of natural habitats and species of plants and animals which are rare, endangered or vulnerable in the EU. It is an EU organisation.
mismanagement – bad management
a highway – a public road UK formal, main road US
to withdraw – to take back, take away, discontinue
to conflict with – to be incompatible with, at variance with
to halt – to stop, put a stop to
prosperity – usually material wealth, financial success, affluence
we cannot afford to – we must not run the risk of ….ing; it would be reckless to