An article by Transparency International shows how the political establishment of Portugal—which should be managing the forest, territorial planning, and firefighting and prevention measures—is held hostage to influential business interests. According to the article, this explains why so many people die and so much area is destroyed by fires year after year. Among the most powerful groups is the pulp and paper industry, and their production depends on monoculture plantations of eucalyptus, which are estimated to cover almost one million hectares. The Navigator Company holds a position of dominance in the country, and it is involved in all stages of production.
Read the article (in Portuguese) here: https://www.nexojornal.com.br/ensaio/2017/Inc%C3%AAndios-em-Portugal-quando-os-lobbies-matam
