Right of reply from the Minister of Agriculture to PÚBLICO’s 23–24 January coverage, addressed to the ICNF. The minister argues that regulatory or legal obstacles that block project approvals should be tackled by changing the law rather than abandoning projects, stressing that governing cannot be synonymous with mere execution. The reply frames the issue as one of policy and regulatory design — balancing property rights, environmental protection and development — and calls for clearer, reform-minded legal solutions to streamline approvals while respecting conservation responsibilities.
If the law prevents projects from being approved, change the law, says Minister of Agriculture to the ICNF (published 23 January)
Saturday, 31 January 2026RSS

Context & Explainers
ICNF is Portugal’s Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests (Instituto da Conservação da Natureza e das Florestas), the state agency that manages protected areas, forests and many environmental licences. In this story ICNF matters because changes to laws or ministerial guidance can affect whether projects pass environmental checks or need different permits.







