Regional Government guarantees Corvo farmers the same services as on other islands
The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry stated today in Ponta Delgada that the Regional Government guarantees Corvo farmers equal access to the services provided on other islands, thus ensuring the same opportunities for the development of the sector.
"Everything has been done and will continue to be done so that Corvo farmers may have access to the services they need for the development of their activity, as is with other islands," stressed João Ponte, who spoke at a hearing at the Committee on Economic Affairs of the Legislative Assembly.
Regarding the permanent establishment of a veterinarian on Corvo Island, the government official pointed out that the Regional Government has already opened several applications during this legislative term for the recruitment of these professionals.
João Ponte also pointed out that, in the current legislative term, Corvo already had a veterinary doctor on a permanent basis, who was transferred to Mainland Portugal at her request. Until the hiring of the new veterinarian, who has been on sick leave since August 2019, the service has always been rendered by staff members of the Regional Secretariat for Agriculture and Forestry working at the Agrarian Development Services and at the Regional Directorate for Agriculture.
Currently, there is a new application for the recruitment of a veterinarian, but no so far no one has applied for it, despite the Government's efforts to advertise this vacancy with universities and the Portuguese Veterinary Association, among other steps taken.
"We will continue to ensure the regular movement of veterinarians from other islands to Corvo and prolong their stay on this island for longer periods of time until a new professional is hired," stressed the government official.
As for the proposal to create an autonomous Agrarian Development Service for Corvo, João Ponte stressed that, over the years, the Regional Government has never felt that farmers, producers' organisations and the workers regard it as a priority or a necessity. In fact, the needs of Corvo farmers have always been fully met.
"With a good management of human resources, it has been possible to provide all the necessary support to Corvo farmers, through the technicians from the Agricultural Development Service based on Flores or other islands," said João Ponte. As he emphasised, the fact that Corvo does not have an autonomous Agrarian Development Service "has not harmed, nor will it hamper the necessary follow-up to local farmers" in matters such as animal health and technical support, among others.
"The Regional Government is always available to improve responses to farmers on each island, including the island of Corvo," assured João Ponte.