Portugal fined 8.7m by EU court for failing to protect biodiversity

"The court considers that these are particularly serious infringements of EU environmental law, in which Portugal has persisted. Given that Portugal's territory hosts rich biodiversity, including 99 habitat types and 335 species covered by the habitats directive, what is at stake for the European Union's common heritage there is especially important."

"The daily fine corresponds to a penalty of 750 for each of the 55 sites that the court said had still not been protected despite having ordered Lisbon seven years ago to comply with EU laws. The fine will be reduced by 750 a day per site that is brought into compliance."

"The European Commission has battled for years to force Portugal to conserve and protect habitats and species in areas that should have been designated for conservation under the EU habitats directive. Under EU law, sites of community importance for the Atlantic biogeographic region include Peneda-Geres, Portugal's only national park; the natural park Litoral Norte and the Minho and Lima rivers."

The EU Court of Justice imposed a €10 million fine on Portugal for non-compliance with environmental protection laws requiring designation of special conservation areas. The court also ordered daily penalties of €41,250 until Portugal complies with a 2019 court order. The fine targets 55 sites that remain unprotected despite the seven-year-old directive. Portugal's territory contains 99 habitat types and 335 species covered by the EU Habitats Directive, making the infringement particularly serious. The daily penalty equals €750 per unprotected site and decreases as each site achieves compliance. Key sites include Peneda-Geres national park, Litoral Norte natural park, and areas hosting rare species like golden-striped salamanders and fern species.

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