Minister José Manuel Fernandes called leaders of the Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests (ICNF) 'cowards' and 'liars' after they interpreted his remarks as interference in technical decisions governed by law. Environmentalists and experts criticise the minister's words and stress that 'the ICNF does not exist to serve sectoral interests'.
Environmentalists condemn attacks by the Minister of Agriculture, who called ICNF leaders who reported 'political pressure' 'cowards'
Monday, 26 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.
