Information: FUNDOPESCA granted to 1,200 fishers in the Azores
The Regional Secretariat for Natural Resources, through the Regional Directorate for Fisheries, is granting financial support to Azorean 1,200 fishers under FUNDOPESCA. The Salary Compensation Fund was activated in December for a seven-month period between March 1 and September 30, 2012. The Administrative Board of FUNDOPESCA has unanimously decided to stipulate amount of support awarded to fish... more >>

Information: Distinction of Azorean wines promotes recovery of grape varieties
The white wines Terrantez do Pico 2011 by António Maçanita and Muros de Magma 2011 by Biscoitos Cooperative were elected to the top list of Portuguese wines of the year by the Wine Magazine. These wines were produced from grapes recovered with the support of the Regional Secretariat for Natural Resources. "In addition to the public recognition of the oenologists involved and the Biscoito... more >>

Information: Luís Neto Viveiros says the Government's powers in sea management are "clearly defined"
The Regional Secretary for Natural Resources said today that the Azores are under a "centralist threat" of the National Government, stressing that the powers of the Regional Government in the management of the Azores sea are "clearly defined." "We are under a centralist threat of the National Government that wants to assume a leading position and control the benefits derived from the exploitatio... more >>

Information: Trials to enhance Azorean cryptomeria deliver genetic gains
The plants produced from seeds resulting from provenance/progeny trials conducted with cryptomeria under the Azores Forest Improvement Programme already evidence, after a decade, genetic gains between five and seven percent. The data were revealed on Friday during a technical and scientific visit made by programme coordinating team to the experimental fields installed on the island of São M... more >>

Information: Luís Neto Viveiros welcomes EU Parliament's approval of fisheries measures defended by the Azores
The Regional Secretary for Natural Resources welcomed today the EU Parliament's approval of a technical measure that allows managing fisheries according to differentiated marine biogeographic regions. The approval took place in the context of the voting on the proposed reform of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). "This measure endows the Azores with the possibility of reserving an area around th... more >>

Information: Government of the Azores restates commitment to cooperate with agricultural associations
The Regional Secretary for Natural Resources restated today in Angra do Heroísmo the Government's commitment to closely cooperate with the agricultural associations in the Region to promote the development of the sector. Luís Neto Viveiros spoke to journalists at the end of a visit to the premises of Terceira Agricultural Association (AAIT), which also included a meeting with the new... more >>

Information: Regional Secretariat for Natural Resources concludes tender specifications for study on the milk sector
The Regional Secretary for Natural Resources, Luís Neto Viveiros, revealed today that the Government of the Azores will conduct a study on the impact of the end of the milk quota system in the Region that will be co-funded by the Rural Network programme at a rate of 85%. "It has been our concern since the beginning of the current legislative period to have a study that would allow us tak... more >>

Information: Biodiversity Kit aims to raise the awareness of children for nature conservation
The Regional Secretariat for Natural Resources is distributing the "Azores Biodiversity Kit" freely among elementary schools in an initiative that aims to raise the awareness of students for nature preservation and conservation. The distribution of this innovative teaching resource is being carried out on the island of São Miguel through the "Ecoteca" (Environmental Awareness Raising Cen... more >>

Information: Regional Government promotes "comprehensive" revision of Fundopesca
The Regional Secretary for Natural Resources, Luís Neto Viveiros, revealed today that the Regional Government expects to conclude by February a proposal for a "comprehensive" revision of the current legislation on Fundopesca (Fishers' Salary Compensation Fund). "We understand that while some of the aspects comprised by the proposal submitted by Bloco de Esquerda (BE) are meritorious, there ... more >>

Information: Regional Secretary for Natural Resources says there is always room "for improvement"
The Regional Secretary for Natural Resources, Luís Neto Viveiros, revealed on Friday that the application procedures to the Programme for the Rural Development of the Azores (PRORURAL) may be subject to a revision under the future Community Support Network (CSF). "If better solutions are found, we can adopt them" as there is always room for "improvement," Luís Neto Viveiros defended, s... more >>