Quercus slams lack of transparency in APA and ICNF overhaul

Environmental group Quercus has criticised the ongoing restructuring of Portugal's Environment Agency (APA) and the Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests (ICNF), saying it is proceeding without input from environmental NGOs. Quercus notes it requested an urgent meeting with the Ministry of Environment and Energy in May but has had no reply four months on. This follows the minister's statement that the reorganisation is nearly ready to enter the legislative process. Quercus warns that plans to cut prior licensing procedures and shift towards post-approval inspections could weaken environmental safeguards, especially given existing shortages of staff and resources for oversight, and fears decision-making could become more centralised and political.