Citizens' group presses authorities over olive-pomace plant's operations near Ferreira do Alentejo

The Vida Civis association has sent an open letter, ten pages long with an annex of 82 questions, about the olive-pomace plant at Fortes, in Ferreira do Alentejo. It wants the regional development commission, the environment agency, the environmental inspectorate and the town council to explain how the operation grew, how burning a material classed as waste was licensed, and whether an environmental impact assessment was considered in time. It also asks the local health unit about a surveillance system and a health impact study for Fortes and Odivelas, where odour and smoke complaints persist. The group says it will publish replies and does not blame any one site.