The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry stressed today the "qualitative evolution" registered in the Azores health status, which is reaching "a level of excellence at national and international level."
João Ponte said this is due "to the major effort of the Government, together with farmers, and the work of veterinarians in the archipelago over recent years."
The Secretary for Agriculture spoke in Ponta Delgada, after a meeting with the President of the Regional Council of the Veterinarians' Association, Laura Faria e Maia.
João Ponte stressed that the Azores are recognised as a Region Officially Free From Enzootic Bovine Leucosis, Brucellosis in Small Ruminants and Bovine Brucellosis on six of the nine islands.
In 2018, the Region intends to submit the application of Terceira and São Jorge as islands officially free from this disease.
In the case of São Miguel, there has been no positive case since October 2014. It is expected that vaccination will continue on this island by 2021.
As regards to bovine tuberculosis, the results "are also very encouraging," said João Ponte.
"In 2017, we will submit the application of Flores, Corvo and Santa Maria as islands officially free from these diseases. It is expected that the entire region reach this status by 2021," said the government official.
The Government of the Azores intends to achieve the goal of eradicating BVD (Bovine Viral Diarrhoea) and is already implementing the eradication programme in the archipelago.
"Given the excellent health status that the Region is achieving, the Regional Government will continue to support farmers in production diseases," said the Regional Secretary.
"Animal health is fundamental in the promotion of our products abroad and is critical to increasing the efficiency and competitiveness of our farms," added the government official.
João Ponte also welcomed with satisfaction the announcement made at the meeting that the 19th Conference of the Portuguese Buiatrics Association will be held in the Azores next year.
The Regional Secretary considered that the choice of the Azores to conclude this annual scientific meeting of veterinarians linked to ruminant medicine "acknowledges the importance of Azorean agriculture in the national context."