Information: Government of the Azores presents plan to reduce waste production in the Region
The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and the Environment stated today in Ponta Delgada that the Waste Management Strategic Plan of the Azores (PEPGRA) has awarded priority status to the reduction of waste production and the increase of the reuse of waste. "From the standpoint of waste management, citizens and institutions should be guided, in the first instance, by the need to reduce the produ... more >>

Information: São Miguel Natural Park promotes 1st Green Triathlon in Sete Cidades next Sunday
The São Miguel Natural Park promotes the 1st Sete Cidades Green Triathlon next Sunday, October 18, under the Open Park Programme. This is an open relay competition that already has two dozen registered teams. The event, which is supported by more than a dozen partners, will be carried out by teams of four members, consisting of three sports, including cycling (1 member), track and field (1 m... more >>

Information: Government of the Azores increases premium for dairy cows, which is now at 190 Euros on all islands
In the context of the stipulated measures for the support to milk producers, the Government of the Azores will anticipate the payment of 70% of the premium for dairy cows, which will be increased by 45 Euros per animal on the islands of São Miguel and Terceira; both islands represent 87.2% of dairy production in the archipelago. This measure involves an extra financial effort of nearly 3.3 mi... more >>

Information: Public support doubled vineyard area in production on Pico, says Luís Neto Viveiros
The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and the Environment stated in Madalena that, since the classification of the Landscape of Pico Island Vineyard Culture by UNESCO, the reinforcement of public support in the current legislative period has doubled the vineyard area in production on this island. "If we take into account the ongoing rehabilitation projects, the Government will ensure the mainte... more >>

Information: Loggerhead sea turtle, endangered species, recovers at Porto Pim Aquarium on Faial Island
A loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) weighing about 5.2 kilograms, is recovering from several injuries at the Porto Pim Aquarium - Live Fish Station, after being rescued and delivered to Faial Nature Park. Three and a half months after being rescued, the turtle has gained weight and the injuries in the eye, fin and neck are fully recovered, while the most serious injury, at the back of the ... more >>

Information: Government and Azorean milk producers must be heard on the allocation of European aid, says Neto Viveiros
The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and the Environment revealed today the decision to request a hearing to the government official of Agriculture and the Sea as he believes the Azorean Government and the representatives of Azorean milk producers have to be heard on the distribution of European aid. Luís Neto Viveiros stressed that the Autonomous Region "has to actively participate in th... more >>

Information: Azores reached the highest values of quality water supplied to consumers in 2014
The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and the Environment pointed out the quality of the water supplied to Azorean consumers, as reflected in the 2014 report, the year when the results of the analysed parameters reached "values close to the maximum" in the Azores. "Figures grew from 97.27 in the beginning of the current legislative period to 98.67 in 2014," said Luís Neto Viveiros. The gove... more >>

Information: Government requires allocation of 45% of European aid for Portugal to Azorean milk producers
The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Environment restated today that the Government of Azores requires from the Portuguese State a fair allocation of funds to the Region. The government official spoke after the announcement of the sums granted under the extraordinary envelop that was decided by the EU Commission last week to support the dairy industry in the amount of 420 million Euros. "Gi... more >>

Information: 15-million Euro investment in slaughterhouses and support to producers ensures quality of Azorean meat, says Neto Viveiros
The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and the Environment stressed in Horta the high level of compliance of regional slaughterhouses with the quality standards for carcasses of slaughtered animals. The values of analyses are provided in a timely way to meat producers, Luís Neto Viveiros said, stressing that the PH values in the carcasses exceeded 6 and were residual. They do not jeopardise ... more >>

Information: Lack of commitment towards Azorean milk producers is motive for concern, says Luís Neto Viveiros
The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and the Environment expressed today his concern with the refusal of the Minister of Agriculture and the Sea, Assunção Cristas, to take a commitment towards the positive discrimination of Azorean milk producers in the allocation of the funds that will be granted to Portugal under the extraordinary financial package proposed by the European Commission... more >>