Portugal opens 29 cases over destroyed swallow nests

Portugal's nature conservation institute (ICNF) opened 29 infringement cases between 2023 and 2025 for destroying, damaging or removing swallow nests and eggs, an offence banned under national and European law since 1999. Nine cases came from central Portugal, eight from Alentejo, seven from the Algarve, four from Lisbon and the Tagus Valley, and one from the north. ICNF only has authority to punish cases within protected areas, so most were forwarded to regional coordination commissions (CCDR). Fines range from 250 to 3,740 euros for individuals and up to 44,890 euros for companies or condominiums.