The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forests, João Ponte, considered that the Azores Fair, which ends today on the island of São Miguel, was an "extremely positive" event for the projection of a "thriving and very important" sector in the archipelago's economy.
 
"I think the balance is extremely positive. It was a great success. This is what I have heard in recent days, both from associations linked to the sector and from farmers and entrepreneurs themselves," said João Ponte. The government official spoke on the sidelines of a prize-delivery ceremony of the Holstein Frisian Cow Contest at the São Miguel Exhibition Pavilion in Santana.
 
For three days, it was possible to show "the great strength of the agricultural sector and its importance in the Region's economy," said the Secretary for Agriculture. In this context, the government official thanked the collaborators of the Regional Secretariat for Agriculture and Forestry and the São Miguel Agricultural Association for the commitment demonstrated in the exemplary organisation of the event.
 
In addition, João Ponte emphasised that the fair featured animal specimens of great excellence from several islands in terms of dairy and meat quality level as well as horticultural, cheese, wine and tea of great quality.
 
"This only evidences what I have said, that is, the Azores are not behind in terms of the quality of production compared with the country and Europe," said the government official. He added that, in the case of milk, it is necessary that the product should "properly valued" in the price paid to producers.
  
With regard to genetics, João Ponte also pointed out that the Azores have what is best produced in the country and in Europe, which is something that is surely due to "farmers' hard work," but also to the effort of the Regional Government to create the conditions for animal well-being and health, among other things.
 
This year, the winner of the 16th Holstein Frisian Cow Contest was the cow named "Gruta," which is almost 4 years old. It came from the farm of brothers Roberto and Óscar Ponte, from Lomba da Maia.
 
Before the prize-delivery ceremony, there was a minute of silence in honour of wildfire victims in Pedrogão Grande, Leiria.