Information: Regional Strategy Centre for Azores Meat is important tool to strengthen the sector, says João Ponte
The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry stated that the Regional Strategy Centre for Azores Meat- CERCA is another important tool to strengthen the meat industry and increase producers' income, involving several partners. "We have congregated the will and powers of several entities towards the strengthening of the meat industry so that we may improve the performance of this sector, whi... more >>

Information: More simplified and flexible rules in post-2020 CAP satisfy the Azores, says João Ponte
The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry expressed his satisfaction with the European Commission's intention to apply more simplified and flexible rules to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) after 2020. Now, each Member State will be responsible for drawing up its own strategic plan to achieve common goals. The new functioning model announced today at the Commission's press conferen... more >>

Information: Plan and Budget for 2018 enables more growth and more income for farmers, says João Ponte
The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry defended in Horta that the 2018 Plan and Budget for this sector enables "more growth and more income" for farmers. "The Plan responds with ambition to the challenges of the sector, although we know that our efforts in agriculture are always an unfinished task," said João Ponte. He spoke at the Legislative Assembly under the discussion of the... more >>

Information: Regional Government allocates half a million Euros to develop new products and support innovative projects in the agricultural sector
The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry announced today the submission of applications for support to innovative projects and the development of new products in the agricultural sector under the PRORURAL + programme, amounting to half a million Euros. The application period will open in January. João Ponte stated that the applications will be submitted under sub-measure 16.2, foc... more >>

Information: Local Action Groups will be able to apply for interterritorial and transnational cooperation projects
Local Action Groups (LAGs), made up of local representatives from public and private sectors, will be able to establish and implement cooperation projects with different rural territories in the country and the European Union or with third countries, according to an ordinance published today in the Official Gazette. The support provided for this purpose under the PRORURAL+ programme intends to sti... more >>

Information: Organic milk production is strategic investment for the Azores, says João Ponte
The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry stated in Ponta Delgada that the investment in the production of organic milk is strategic for the Azores, due to the natural potential of the islands to attract new markets and the generation more wealth for farmers and the industry. "From the Region's standpoint, this commitment is strategic in terms of promoting our milk. We have a great poten... more >>

Information: João Ponte says Plan and Budget for 2018 respond to challenges of the agricultural sector
The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forests stated in Horta that the Plan and Budget for 2018 respond to the challenges of the agricultural sector, being oriented towards modernisation, competitiveness and cost reduction in the agricultural sector. "The Plan for Agriculture and Forestry to be implemented next year responds to the challenges of the sector and continues to invest in modernis... more >>

Information: Works amounting to 260 thousand Euros improve accessibility and water supply to farms on S. Miguel Island
The Regional Secretariat for Agriculture and Forestry, through the Regional Institute of Agrarian Planning (IROA), published in the Official Journal the public tenders for the contract works aimed at improving accessibility and water supply to farms on São Miguel, amounting to 260 million Euros. One of the public tenders, amounting to 165 thousand Euros, comprises the construction of the wat... more >>

Information: Regional Government will fight, to the limits of its capabilities, for the increase of funds under CAP after 2020, assures João Ponte
The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forests assured in Ponta Delgada that the Azores will continue to fight, to the limits of their capabilities, for the increase of financial allocations under the next Community Support Network to promote the competitiveness of agriculture, reduce additional costs and, above all, to ensure the sustainability of agricultural activity in the archipelago. "As... more >>

Information: Regional Government challenges distribution sector to further invest in local cheeses and the industry to follow new trends
The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry challenged today the cheese distribution sector in Portugal to further invest in local production and the industry to follow new market trends and consumer choice options. "It is important for the distribution sector to further invest in local production. It is imperative that the industry follows the new market trends and consumer choice options... more >>