“In Portugal we have the great example of the forest [of the future], it’s called the montado” (cork oak forest) The forest, and in particular the montado (cork oak forest), has been a constant, and striking, presence in António Gonçalves Ferreira’s life. The agricultural engineer, forestry and agricultural producer, is the current president of the Mediterranean Forest Union (UNAC), an organisation that encompasses six forest producer organisations and represents more than 1200 associates in various parts of Portugal. Its main mission is to defend the interests of Mediterranean forest producers. This mission “is always incomplete. It by-passes technical, political and communicational domains, has internal and external objectives, and largely results from the good relations that we have established with partners in the industry, with national and international research institutions, the local authorities and civil society”, explains Gonçalves Ferreira.
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