Agriculture Minister Changes Law to Approve Projects – ICNF News
- The Institute for Conservation of Nature and Forests (ICNF) is "too radical" and hinders the "progress of the country," said the Minister of Agriculture, José Manuel Fernandes, in...
- "The ICNF is issuing many negative opinions" and complying with the law in a too rigorous way, said the minister, according to sources heard by PÚBLICO.
- These statements were made in the context of a visit by the Minister of the Environment,Maria da Graça Carvalho,and the Secretary of State for Forests,Rui Ladeira,to the ICNF...
The Institute for Conservation of Nature and Forests (ICNF) is “too radical” and hinders the “progress of the country,” said the Minister of Agriculture, José Manuel Fernandes, in a video sent this Friday to the ICNF, in which he stated that, if necessary, the law will be changed, making veiled threats about the survival of the institute, which he shares oversight of with the Minister of the Environment and Energy.
“The ICNF is issuing many negative opinions” and complying with the law in a too rigorous way, said the minister, according to sources heard by PÚBLICO. If the law is an obstacle to the realization of certain projects, said the minister, the law may “be altered”. Until then, the Minister of Agriculture’s recommendation is to “relativize the law”.
These statements were made in the context of a visit by the Minister of the Environment,Maria da Graça Carvalho,and the Secretary of State for Forests,Rui Ladeira,to the ICNF headquarters,with the presence of regional directors of the institute. The minister’s message was delivered by video.
Even though not directly identified, the conviction at the ICNF is that projects such as lithium mining or the Sophia photovoltaic plant,which covers the municipalities of Idanha-a-Nova,Penamacor and Fundão,in the district of Castelo Branco,and is arousing great opposition from the population,are at stake.
PÚBLICO confirmed these statements with several sources, but the dialogue office of the Ministry of Agriculture and the Sea, contacted by PÚBLICO, denied that the minister had made these statements. “No member of this Government has asked anyone to ‘relativize’ the law. Compliance with the law is, obviously, the cornerstone of this executive,” was the written response sent.
Minister asked for “proactivity”
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The same source confirmed, however, that the Minister of Agriculture’s communication was made by video. “it is recorded and leaves no doubt as to the content of the message and its interpretation. The minister,in addition to
ICNF Restructuring Underway in Portugal
The Portuguese government is planning changes to the Institute for the Conservation of Nature and Forests (ICNF),aiming for improved coordination and efficiency. This follows criticism regarding inconsistent environmental evaluations across different regions of Portugal. The information originates from a report published on January 24, 2026, by the portuguese news outlet PÚBLICO.
Background and Criticism of ICNF
the ICNF has faced scrutiny for a lack of uniformity in its regional operations, specifically in environmental impact assessments. Currently, different regions within Portugal appear to be applying varying standards, leading to concerns about equitable environmental protection. This situation has garnered broad acceptance of the need for change among the scientific community and NGOs.
Government Response and Planned changes
Environment Minister Maria da Graça Carvalho initially denied the need for meaningful changes. However,she announced on January 24,2026,that the ICNF’s operations will be altered and “optimized” by the end of the summer. She had previously indicated in the Assembly of the Republic that adjustments were necessary.
The core of the planned restructuring involves establishing a clearer hierarchy between the national direction and the regional directorates of the ICNF. This aims to standardize practices, especially in environmental evaluations. According to PÚBLICO, the creation of this hierarchical structure is currently in preparation.
Broader Coordination of Environmental Agencies
Minister Carvalho also expressed a desire for better coordination among the four environmental agencies within the Ministry of the Environment: the Energy Agency, the Climate Agency, the Portuguese Environment Agency, and the ICNF. The Ministry is soliciting input from these agencies, including through a dedicated email address for suggestions, and plans to commission an external study comparing their operations to those of efficient European institutions.
Recent Developments
On January 24, 2026, the Minister of Agriculture shared a video of the communication to ICNF leaders on social media following the publication of the PÚBLICO article. Link to the video (if available).
Latest Verified Status: As of January 24, 2026, the restructuring plans are in the preparation phase, with the goal of implementation by the end of the summer. No further updates are available beyond the initial reporting by PÚBLICO and the Minister of Agriculture’s social media post.