Cláudia André, mp of the PSD elected by the constituency of Castelo Branco, considers that the phenomenon of eutrophication of the Ponsul River, by the invasion of the plant Azolla, "took devastating proportions".

Since April, the PSD parliamentary group has warned the Minister for Environment and Climate Action of a problem that "is out of control due to the lack of action in the early stages." In a question that entered the Assembly of the Republic, the parliamentarian recalls that "the exacerbated growth" of the invasive plant "causes the death of species that are under the mantle developed by the process of eutrophication of waters, calling into question the ecological balance of the river as well as its economic exploitation". If in April 2020 the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA) reported that samples of Azolla had been collected to "verify its evolutionary status" and consider a "necessary intervention for mechanical removal of the aquatic plant", in May, the Minister of Environment and Climate Action confirmed to the PSD parliamentary group that actions would be taken to solve the problem. Three months later, and according to images taken this August, for the parliamentarian, elected by Castelo Branco, "the Ponsul River is in a state of eutrophication that should concern the responsible entities".1 – Having the MAAC aware of the phenomenon of eutrophication that is occurring in the Ponsul River, what measures it has taken or diluted to eliminate the invasive plant Azolla to date?2 – On what date was the "intervention for mechanical removal of these aquatic plants" on the Ponsul River, as reported by the EPA on April 28, 2020?3 – Considering the devastating proportions of the phenomenon, what measures are being taken by the Minister and his ministry in order to restore the environmental quality of the banks and flow of the Ponsul River?