The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and the Environment announced today that the Government of the Azores is currently preparing a plan to combat termites "in order to eradicate them from the most affected urban areas over a time period of 10 years."

The plan is being developed in partnership with the University of the Azores. According to Luís Neto Viveiros, "it will be possible to carry out interventions in buildings through scientifically proven pest control systems."

Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of a hearing at the Committee on Economic Affairs of the Legislative Assembly, the Regional Secretary stressed that combating pests has been of the main priorities of the Government over the years and, for that reason, there are several legal documents regulating public intervention in this area. Moreover, the government official mentioned the Government's concern towards "the safeguarding of protected species in order to achieve a balance between allowable densities, agricultural activities and the preservation of species."

Luís Neto Viveiros reiterated that "the Government is aware that all aspects mentioned in the proposal made by PSD/Açores are covered by the current legislation, which has allowed us to take effective action." However, this does not mean they cannot be further improved and, therefore, "we welcome all contributions provided by different political forces and associations concerned."