News from the Portuguese case study area

Filipe Neto Brandão - member of the Portuguese Parliament from Aveiro – asks the Environment and Agriculture Ministers when the tidal defence works will start in Baixo Vouga Lagunar

It has been three years (06.01.2012) since the Portuguese Parliament approved two resolutions (approved by unanimity) advising the government: to conclude the primary tidal defence system, to implement a primary draining system and to improve the consolidation of green infrastructures (e.g. living-hedges). As the project has not started yet, Filipe Neto Brandão (member of the Portuguese Parliament from Aveiro) asks the government when the works will start. The deputy also remarks the missed opportunity when Environment and Agriculture were integrated in the same ministry, which could had solved the responsibility issues regarding the project. The current separation of powers stands for a lack strategy in terms of public policies in both sectors. Neto Brandão stands that “currently the damages in Baixo Vouga Lagunar arable land are in risk of exacerbation as we deal with another winter period”, therefore he asks the Agriculture and Environment Ministers “if the tidal defence works will start before the end of the current parliamentary term”. The complete news is available in Portuguese at: http://www.diarioaveiro.pt/noticias/baixo-vouga-neto-brandao-quer-saber-quando-comecam-obras-de-defesa-contra-mares