The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and the Environment revealed today in Santa Cruz that the Government of the Azores will implement a proximity-based technical assistance programme to support dairy farmers on the island of Flores.

This measure aims to promote the excellence and competitiveness of cheese produced on Flores, particularly through continuous improvement and the increase of milk production.
 
It will contribute to the profitability of the plant and, consequently, boost the income of Flores producers. This measure is one among many others directed to local agriculture and animal husbandry, which will be announced during the presentation of the press release from the meeting held by the Council of the Government Tuesday.

Speaking on the sidelines of a visit to the Western Cooperative, Luís Neto Viveiros stressed the evolution of the performance of the cooperative, ensuring that the Regional Government will maintain technical and management support, which has registered positive results.

In the first six months of 2015, the delivery of milk rose 14.17% over the same period last year and the prices paid to producers have already been settled, within a period of 90 days.

In addition to the meeting he held with the Director of the Cooperative and visits to plant facilities where different kinds of cheese and yoghurt are produced, the Regional  Secretary also visited a dairy farm owned by a local producer who bought 30 cows under a support programmed provided by the Azorean Government. 

In order to increase milk production on this island, the Regional Secretary for Agriculture and the Environment will support this year the purchase and transport of dairy cattle, up to a limit of 100 animals and another 50 animals in 2016.