Decree-Law No. 254/2009 approving the Forestry Code.

This Decree-Law, consisting of 115 articles divided into 13 Titles, establishes the Forestry Code and regulates its further implementation through forestry management guidelines and covers standards for planning and forest management. It deals with the impact of the forestry regime, protection of forestry assets, the valuation of forestry resources and the forestry management regime. The Code applies to the Portuguese mainland. The National Policy on Forestry aims at the conservation and sustainable development of forests, their productive valorization, the improvement of associated natural systems, the definition of associated management programmes, responding to community needs in a territorial planning framework, as well as strengthening sectoral institutions. The national policy on forestry has been developed within the strategic frameworks set out in the National Strategy for Forestry, the Rural Development Programme, the National Programme for Territorial Planning Policy, as well as the special territorial planning and the environmental policy, the nature conservation and biodiversity and territorial planning instruments. The following are considered instruments for the valorization of forestry resources: a) agriculture, silvo-pastoralism, hunting and fishing in inland waters; b) tame pine tree and pine needles; c) use of resine, mycological, honey and bee resources, aromatic, medicinal and spice plants; etc.
The National Policy on Forestry pursues the following objectives: all citizens are responsible for the conservation of forestry areas as a natural renewable resource, fundamental for the preservation of biodiversity and strategic for the national socio-economic development, etc.; promote and guarantee the sustainable development of forestry areas and all the related activities based on certified products and management; ensure the use and management of forestry areas in accordance with development policies and priorities, harmonized with internationally agreed guidelines; ensure the sustainable management of forestry areas and associated resources such as water resources, soil, air, fauna and flora, safeguarding their landscape, scientific and cultural aspects, within a framework of territorial and socio-economic integrated development in order to respond to the needs of present and future generations; improve the income of the agro-forestry holdings, optimizing the use of the productive potential of the forestry areas; promote the professional management of the national forestry heritage, in particular through the promotion of the creation of management units; ensure the contribution of forestry areas to maintain biodiversity, protect and enhance water resources, conserving soil, improving air quality and combating desertification; ensure the protection of forests in particular mountain areas, dune systems and riverine forests; ensure the protection of the forest against biotic and abiotic agents, in particular against forest fires, pests and diseases and invasive species; promote scientific research and technological development in the field of forestry.