The use of potentially hazardous substances in public areas without proper signage has raised serious concerns in the Azores, as highlighted by regional parliament member António Lima. “I myself have witnessed the application of products in public spaces, where workers are using personal protective equipment for applying toxic products, without any information or signage regarding the application of these products,” Lima stated in a press release.
Lima, a representative from BE/Açores, announced plans to question the regional government regarding these incidents. These concerns emerge following the approval of glyphosate use, introduced via a proposal from the Chega party and backed by the PSD, CDS, and PPM coalition.
During a meeting with the Association for the Promotion and Environmental Protection of the Azores, Lima criticized recent policy decisions, stating, “The Azores are regressing by decades in environmental protection.” Although acknowledging some positive strides towards environmental protection in the region, he expressed concern over recent developments that counter these efforts.
The parliament member criticized the PSD/CDS-PP/PPM coalition for endorsing “environmental setbacks proposed by Chega.” The reintroduction of glyphosate in certain exceptional circumstances marks a departure from the previous prohibition enacted four years ago in public areas, following a regional legislative decree published in the Diário da República on January 8.
This policy change, amending the 2020 regional legislative decree that banned glyphosate herbicides in public spaces, was passed in December 2024 by the Azores Legislative Assembly. The proposal by Chega received support from the ruling coalition (PSD/CDS-PP/PPM), IL, with opposition votes from BE, PS, and PAN.
Since January 2021, a ban on the use of glyphosate-containing plant protection products had been enforced in urban areas, recreational zones, and communication routes and was formalized in 2022. According to the recent decree permitting glyphosate use, “there are currently no barriers to the use of plant protection products containing glyphosate.” Hence, the current regional legislation “should allow, at least for certain absolutely justifiable situations, the exceptional use of such products.”
Despite these exceptions, the use of glyphosate continues to be prohibited “in urban areas, including within a 10-meter band measured from the boundaries of respective buildings and infrastructures, even when adjacent to agricultural or forestry areas,” unless thoroughly evaluated exceptions are applied.
On January 12, the Association Ecológica Amigos dos Açores, the Association for the Promotion and Environmental Protection of the Azores, and the Azores branch of IRIS – National Environment Association, released a public petition. They described the approved modification in the Azores Autonomous Region’s Legislative Assembly as “incomprehensible.” Environmental groups are urging the parliament to adopt a “sensible position” and reverse the legislation permitting glyphosate herbicide use in regional public spaces.
