Alcácer do Sal assembly seeks review of tangerine project approval

The Municipal Assembly of Alcácer do Sal unanimously approved a motion asking authorities to review the conditional environmental approval granted to a tangerine-growing project by Aquaterra/Expoente Frugal, citing pressure on water resources in the Comporta-Galé protected area. The motion, proposed by the PS group, calls for an integrated assessment of the cumulative impact of intensive irrigated farming projects in the zone, plus stronger independent monitoring of groundwater. It also asks the Government, APA, ICNF, the Alentejo CCDR and EU institutions to oversee compliance with habitat protection rules. The project's farmland was cut to 295.18 hectares and water use lowered to 1.74 million cubic metres a year.