en 
“We have to 'deseucalypt' Portugal. We need to remove 700 thousand hectares of eucalyptus area in the country this decade”, read pamphlets that participants in the concentration, many of whom were leaders of environmental associations, were distributing to those who entered the Palácio de Cristal to visit the Book Fair of Porto, which started on August 25th and ends on September 10th.
Speaking to Lusa, the president of the Agir pelo Planeta Association admitted that he had taken advantage of the fact that the Book Fair was taking place to get his message across to more people, namely that “enough with eucalyptus trees and thinking about a single industry, or that is, on paper.”
“The country cannot be dedicated to cellulose, besides, eucalyptus is not as good a business as that,” said Manuel Reis.
Therefore, the leader considered it “urgent” to have a policy of reforestation of indigenous people in the north, centre and south of the country and to put more people to work in the environmental area.
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But what are the alternatives the protesters are proposing? I also don't like seeing the eucalyptus monoculture everywhere, but are are the alternatives? Small-scale farmers used the culture as a savings account for special events. These people are now elders. Their heirs don't care about this land, many don't even know where it is located. The few that still live out of this sector, what species should they produce to replace eucalyptus? Our forest is burning because there isn't a viable source of income. There isn't even a biomass market in place that incentivises land owners. Some interest is picking up regarding CO2 sequestration, but still... Please tell us the alternatives!!!
By Nuno from Lisbon on 04 Sep 2023, 11:23
A viable alternative to eucalyptus would be the growing of hemp. It can be made into paper and lots of other products, it's easy and cheap to grow, and it grows quickly so the crop would have a faster turnaround....
By Natalie Gray from Other on 04 Sep 2023, 12:05
It's very easy Nuno, plants and trees that are from Portugal that retain water in the soil. Also to replace things like paper and certain building materials the use of hemp would be great. Hempcrete is more breathable than concrete and holds 7 times the amount of co2 it admits in to the atmosphere. Either way though standing up for the ugly water draining eucalyptus trees isn't the answer, it steals the water from the other plants and drys out the soil. We need the soil to store more water and be more biodiverse to prevent fires and have a better environment. Ahhhh nunu
By Bradley Hardaker from Lisbon on 04 Sep 2023, 12:31
Only 10% of eucalyptus fibre can be added to paper as the long fibres add strength to the paper, too much and it causes the paper to be to rigid to go through printing presses at high speed. 100% eucalyptus paper would be unprintable. So why is Portugal growing so much eucalyptus you may ask? To supply to other paper producing countries that don't and won't grow eucalyptus. Talk to the FSC (Forestry Stewardship Council) about people's concerns over Eucalyptus and ask them why they have accredited Portuguese paper producers with their marque.
By Ian Douglas Murdock from Beiras on 05 Sep 2023, 07:39
Portugal was covered with Portuguese laurel and excellent timber for all sorts of things including furniture It is also relatively quick growing and not a fire hazard.
By David-Paul Newton-Scott from UK on 05 Sep 2023, 11:02
A real blight on a lot of the landscape here.
By Steve from Algarve on 05 Sep 2023, 13:13
Who is supposed to organize this and who is supposed to pay for the removal of eucalyptus and the planting and subsequent maintenance of replacement trees?
By Tom from Lisbon on 06 Sep 2023, 08:30
All around my village are eucalyptus plantations, planted and owned by a firm then called Celbi. The question about who has to organise and pay for reforestation is answered by this. For 40 years they abused the soil so a part of their profit can be used....
By Arlette from Beiras on 10 Nov 2023, 11:41