The Portuguese forest and the Common Agricultural Policy

Abstract

ObjectivesThe article aims to assess the impact of support from the European Union on the prevalence of fires in Portugal. The study has a territorial dimension that identifies the support distribution pattern and the location of forest spaces.MethodsThe study uses several databases on the territory and on the funds of the European Union distributed by the municipalities of the Portuguese mainland. It uses a spatial econometrics model from endogenous variables constructed from a principal component analysis.ResultsThe results infer that support is concentrated in the most prosperous agricultural regions. The poorest regions where the forest surface is proportionally larger receive little support. There is no correlation between European Union support for forests and the prevalence of fires.ConclusionsTo reduce the risk and prevalence of fire, it is necessary to promote an active management of forest areas. To this end, it is necessary to review the way in which support from the Common Agricultural Policy is distributed so that vulnerable territories can receive more support, empowering populations and promoting rural development.