Environmental Group Proposes Radical Overhaul of Portugal's Rural Land Management
The environmental association Zero announced a proposal on Sunday for a structural reform aimed at integrating rural properties into professionally administered Landscape Management Units (UGP). According to a statement from the organization, this new model would fundamentally change how rural land is valued. “This model would allow the transformation of each owner’s assets, currently seen as a burden, into a financial asset with real value, sustained by the economic and sustainable profitability of the landscape as a whole, based on the payment for ecosystem services,” the document explained. This shift could unlock significant economic potential in Portugal's vast rural territories, which have long been affected by depopulation and underutilization.
The proposal was released amid growing concerns over the implementation of the government's national fire prevention strategy. Zero's leader, Francisco Ferreira, highlighted alarming delays in the Forest Intervention Plan, a key component of the National Plan for Integrated Rural Fire Management 20-30. The association’s assessment indicates that of the 62 short-term actions planned, approximately 29 appear to be delayed. A more granular analysis of the plan's 90 individual targets suggests that at least 42, or 46% of the total commitments for the year, are behind schedule. This lack of progress is a critical issue as the country continues to grapple with the threat of major wildfires.
The matter is scheduled for an urgent debate in the Portuguese Parliament's Standing Committee on August 27, where the government will be expected to address the severe fire situation. Zero insists that the government must treat integrated fire management as a genuine political priority, not just a set of promises on paper. “Face à dimensão da atual crise, torna-se imperativo sublinhar que a gestão integrada dos fogos rurais não pode ser apenas uma promessa inscrita em planos, mas uma prioridade política efetiva, transversal e sustentada,” the association stated, emphasizing the need for a commitment that spans across political parties and civil society.
During the upcoming parliamentary debate, Zero believes it is fundamental for the government to clarify the reasons for the delays and articulate its long-term vision for the nation's forests. A key point of contention is the adequacy of the plan's financing. “The planned funding seems to be clearly below the real needs, running the risk of turning a good intention into another incomplete exercise, without concrete impact on the ground,” the association warned. They are calling for a rigorous assessment of the investment costs required to make the landscape transformation a reality.
Zero also criticized the perceived “slowness and opacity” surrounding the plan's rollout. The organization is demanding that the government present concrete information on its execution rate, the specific goals achieved, and the funds that have been effectively mobilized. They argue that a plan described as “structuring for the transformation of the landscape and for the prevention of future catastrophes” cannot afford such a sluggish start. The lack of transparency undermines confidence and hinders accountability.
In a direct challenge to the current administration, Zero is demanding not only a firm commitment to implementing the existing National Plan for Integrated Rural Fire Management (PNGIFR) but also a significant governance reform. The association proposes that the Agency for the Integrated Management of Rural Fires (AGIF) be placed back under the direct authority of the Prime Minister's office. According to Zero, “Tal decisão constituiria, segundo a associação, ‘um sinal político claro’ de que a gestão integrada dos fogos rurais é realmente ‘uma prioridade nacional’.” This move would signal that the issue is being treated with the highest level of political importance, a step they deem essential for achieving meaningful progress in protecting Portugal's landscape and rural economy.
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