MEPs José Gusmão and Marisa Matias, from Bloco de Esquerda, again questioned the European Commission about the destruction of Alagoas Brancas, in the Algarve, after having already done so in September 2021.
The new complaint arises because “work in the area has recently resumed in order to build a commercial enterprise, against scientific advice and the will of the population and organizations that have organized demonstrations and appeals”.
MEPs say in a statement that “the scenario described is dramatic, animals buried alive, birds that appear injured and sick, in addition to a destroyed ecosystem”.
Therefore, “in the absence of action by the Portuguese government and municipal executives”, MEPs call for an “embargo on construction works and the classification of Alagoas Brancas as a protected area”.
In their statement, European parliamentarians from the Left Bloc stress that Alagoas Brancas is a cradle of biodiversity that contains more than 300 species of fauna and flora and is home to 143 species of avifauna that feed and rest there from large migratory and intercontinental trips.
The area is included in the project for the Enhancement of Wetlands in the Algarve, which also includes Lagoa dos Salgados, the Alcantarilha Marsh (Albufeira, Silves), Trafal and Foz do Almargem (Loulé).
All of them are extremely rich in wildlife and are home to species with high protection status, in accordance with Decree-Law n.º 49/2005.
MEP José Gusmão warns that “biodiversity is decreasing at alarming rates”, and that “the protection of nature is a key element in the European Ecological Pact”.
"The areas in question are heavily threatened, both by the accumulation of urban waste and by the high pressure on real estate from the tourism industry".
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