New VITIS opening notice to boost viticulture growth beyond Pico, says João Ponte
The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry stated on Terceira Island that the new opening notice concerning for the Support Scheme for the Conversion and Restructuring of Vineyards (VITIS), whose application period runs in October, intends to boost viticulture growth beyond Pico.
“So far, Pico is among the islands that has benefited the most from the VITIS support for the recovery of vineyards. The new warning will be launched soon also intends to stimulate the sector on other islands, which also have potential for wine production," said João Ponte, who spoke Thursday on the sidelines of his visit to Biscoitos Cooperative Winery in Praia da Vitória.
The government official stressed that the new VITIS opening, with an overall allocation of four million Euros, will enable the conversion of another 150 hectares of vineyards. It will contribute to such an emblematic and important sector for environmental preservation, landscape maintenance, economic development, job creation and wealth generation.
In turn, João Ponte stated that the proposed VITIS ordinance for the 2019-2023 period will be sent to the wine sector partners later this week. According to him, it introduces three major amendments.
Firstly, he highlighted the extension of the period for the compulsory maintenance of the VITIS-supported vineyard plots under normal operation from seven years after the approval of the project to 10 years after the planting of vineyards.
João Ponte highlighted a second amendment, which aims to award priority to projects developed on islands such as Terceira, Graciosa, Sao Jorge, Faial, São Miguel and Santa Maria, whose wine potential deserves to be better harnessed and developed.
Moreover, the Regional Secretary stated that the new ordinance aims to favour projects that focus on the so-called traditional grape varieties.
“With these three measures, the Regional Government considers that important steps are being taken, from the outset, towards the development of viticulture throughout the Region as well as towards the protection of traditional grape varieties and the sustainability of this sector,” said João Ponte.