Hungary invested at an unprecedented level in environmental protection over the past decade in order to preserve its natural resources, Minister of Agriculture István Nagy said at the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP 15) in Montreal late on Thursday, local time. Nagy told the meeting that Hungary’s new agricultural support system involves several measures that promote preserving biodiversity. Thanks to new allocations entering force in January, a significant influence can be made on preserving the diversity of the flora and fauna, considering that over 50% of Hungary’s territory is cultivated, he added. Over the past decade, Hungary has spent over 300 million euros on improving the condition of natural habitats on over 300,000 hectares, representing some 15% of protected areas which account for over one-fifth of the country’s territory, he said. In the next five years, nature protection developments are planned on at least 100,000 hectares, with some 112 million euros allocated for the purpose, he added.