Restructuring of APA and ICNF is "practically ready," says minister

Environment Minister Maria da Graça Carvalho announced that the restructuring of the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA) and the Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests (ICNF) is "practically ready." This statement was made on several occasions, including in recent interviews where Carvalho confirmed the progress of the reforms.

The reform of the two agencies was initially announced in May, with the intention of modernizing and streamlining their functions. According to the minister, the process is nearing completion, indicating that the new structures could soon be operational.

Maria da Graça Carvalho mentioned that the restructuring proposal will be brought before the Council of Ministers for discussion and potential approval. This legislative process is seen as an important step toward implementing the structural changes.

The minister did not provide specific details about the changes to be implemented but emphasized the need for greater efficiency and effectiveness in the functions of the agencies responsible for environmental protection and biodiversity in Portugal.

The restructuring aims to respond to current and future demands in the field of environmental protection and is aligned with government policies on sustainability and the conservation of natural resources.

With the reform nearing completion, there are expectations that the new guidelines could be implemented in the next legislative period, although exact details have not yet been disclosed.