The Regional Director for Forest Resources stated that the Regional Government has already invested 800 thousand Euros in the maintenance of agricultural roads on Pico Island, paying close attention to this situation. It is an ongoing concern given the importance of these roads for the development of the agricultural sector.
 
"Despite the daily efforts undertaken in the improvement of agricultural roads, the Regional Government continues to focus on the works we still have to carry out on Pico, noting that all necessary interventions cannot take place simultaneously," said Anabela Isidoro. In this regard, she rejected the criticisms made by the Social Democratic Party (PSD) accusing the Government of avoiding the truth on Pico's agricultural roads and not following this matter properly.
 
Anabela Isidoro stressed that the Government has closely followed this matter and has expressed its full availability to hear all agents of the sector on Pico Island as on other island of the archipelago in order to solve all identified situations in the shortest possible time.
 
With regard to Pico Island, Anabela Isidoro pointed out that Forest Services improved last year 100 kilometres of roads, providing better working and safety conditions for farmers as well as for other users of these roads, such as tourists.
 
"We manage a network of 360 kilometres of roads.  About 70% are already paved but, over time, the surface wears off.  We are carrying out interventions; however, they cannot take place at the same time," said Anabela Isidoro.
 
With these interventions, the Regional Government pursues the strategy towards the improvement of public agricultural infrastructure with direct impact on the improvement of farmers' working conditions.