Information: PGI certification of Santa Maria Cantaloupe is a commercial and cultural asset, says Luís Neto Viveiros
The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and the Environment welcomed the awarding of the Protected Geographical Indication classification to Santa Maria Cantaloupe by the European Commission. Luís Neto Viveiros considered it as "a commercial asset," whose "seal" may be already used in this year's production. "The classification of Santa Maria Cantaloupe as a Protected Geographical Identifica... more >>

Information: Luís Neto Viveiros reveals that PRORURAL + provides incentives for the modernisation of about 1,000 farms and companies in the agro-industrial sector
The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and the Environment revealed in Ponta Delgada that 1,000 farms and companies in the regional agro-industrial sector may benefit from the incentives for modernisation granted under PRORURAL+ until 2020. "In order to promote the competitiveness of the agricultural and forestry sector, the Government allocated 44% of the global budget of the support programme t... more >>

Information: Regional Government to extend Incentive Scheme for the Purchase of Agricultural Land to more farmers
The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Environment announced in Ponta Delgada that the Regional Government will revise the Incentive Scheme for the Purchase of Agricultural Land (RICTA), extending it to more beneficiaries. This unique programme nationwide is exclusively funded by the regional budget. According to Luís Neto Viveiros, the decision "provides for a change in the eligible ag... more >>

Information: Government of the Azores promotes forum to discuss milk production in March
Following the commitment made at the Regional Council of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development, held in the city of Horta on January 21, the Regional Secretariat for Agriculture and the Environment will promote a forum for the discussion of the milk production to take place at the São Miguel Exhibition Park in Santana on March 9. As announced by the Regional Secretary on the occasion, t... more >>

Information: Luís Neto Viveiros ensures applications to PRORURAL+ starting this month
The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Environment welcomed the approval of the Rural Development Programme proposed by the Azores to the European Commission, announcing that the Regional Government has ensured the timely preparation of all ordinances. This will allow agricultural and agro-industrial entrepreneurs to submit their applications to several measures under PRORURAL+ this month. S... more >>

Information: Luís Neto Viveiros highlights consensus on new rules for the operation of quarries and gravel pits
The Regional Secretary for Agriculture stated in Ponta Delgada that the participation of industry partners, namely the Azores Building Industry and Public Works Association (AICOPA), in the public consultation process and, consequently, in the consensus reached on the preparation of the Sectoral Land Management Plan for Extractive Activities (PAE); the latter will regulate the operation of quarrie... more >>

Information: Luís Neto Viveiros announces reforestation of about 60 hectares in Furnas Hydrographic Basin
The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and the Environment announced today that the Government of the Azores will move forward with the reforestation of 60 hectares of land in the last livestock farm located on the banks of Furnas Crater Lake. This intervention will be carried by out by private entities. "This project [funded by the Rural Development Programme] will also contribute to the creati... more >>

Information: Azorean winemakers submitted application to support measures amounting to 2.5 million Euros under VITIS programme in 2014
The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Environment revealed today that the applications submitted last year by Azorean winemakers to the VITIS Programme represent a global investment of 2.5 million Euros in the sector, which is supported by 2.2 million Euros. Speaking at the signing ceremony of a cooperation protocol with Biscoitos Cooperative Cellar in the municipality of Praia da Vitó... more >>

Information: Regional Government highlights added value generated by milk production and ensures its support to the sector in the "current situation of the international market"
The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and the Environment stressed in Angra do Heroísmo the added value generated by the quality of Azorean production, restating the commitment and support provided by the Regional Government to the milk sector in order to "find balanced solutions" for the "current situation of the international market; the latter was caused by the Russian import ban on Europ... more >>

Information: Regional Government reinforces support programmes to farmers for the purchase of machinery and equipment
The Regional Secretariat for Agriculture and the Environment has decided to reinforce the support measures for the modernisation of farms and agricultural production units by investing in their mechanisation through a simple and quick process that Azorean farmers may apply to. The rules on the Support Programme to Agricultural Modernisation (PROAMA) were approved in the Official Journal today. T... more >>