Regional Government purchases another 50 tonnes of rodenticide for rodent control
The Regional Secretariat for Agriculture and Forestry will purchase another 50 tonnes of rodenticide for free distribution among farmers throughout the entire archipelago of the Azores. This investment of 165 thousand Euros will help minimising any damage caused by rodents in agricultural crops.
The contract signed by the Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry, João Ponte, follows a public tender for the purchase of rodenticide to be divided into two equal lots, but with different active ingredients.
Earlier this year, the Regional Government purchased 18.5 tonnes of rodenticide for 92 thousand Euros, which was distributed among farmers for use on farms to prevent losses to both crops and stored animal feed.
The Regional Government has invested around 390 thousand Euros over the last three years in the purchase of rodenticide to combat the proliferation of rodents, an effort that has been undertaken in full coordination with Municipalities and Village Councils.
Effective rodent control in the Azores is a permanent challenge that requires concerted action involving not only the Regional Government and Local Authorities but also farmers and the population in general, through the adoption of good practices and proper sanitation practices.
However, this control goes far beyond the distribution of rodenticide, hence the commitment to information campaigns and awareness-raising actions aimed at different audiences, many of which are held in collaboration with municipal authorities.
In addition, a practical handbook on integrated rodent control is being finalised and will be later distributed throughout the archipelago. The project stems from the partnership between the Regional Government and the Association of Municipalities of the Autonomous Region of the Azores.
Overall, 5,000 copies have been printed. They are intended to be provide a further contribution to informing and training farmers to take action in order to prevent the propagation and proliferation of rodents.
The control of this pest is a permanent challenge that concerns us all, especially as there are few natural enemies of rodents in the Azores.