Ongoing investments in the industry to boost milk sector on Terceira, says João Ponte
The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry highlighted today the investments in the modernisation of the dairy plant owned by Pronicol on Terceira Island, considering that this is "an industry focused on the future."
Speaking at the end of a visit to the plant, João Ponte highlighted that the ongoing investments "reflect an investment in the promotion of regional dairy products for their placement in external markets."
This matter is related to the price of milk paid to producers. According to the Secretary for Agriculture, "the industry needs to place its products in the right markets to raise their value in order to have the conditions to increase and pay a fair price to producers."
"This is the concern of the industry and the Government of the Azores will ensure that it will be reflected in the prices paid to producers," said the government official.
The Regional Secretary considered that the gap that still exists in the price of milk paid to producers on Terceira and that paid on S. Miguel arises from the "situation of markets" as there is only one plant on that island, linked to Lactogal Group.
"The strategy also involves raising the awareness of this Group for the specific features of the Region. It is important to show signs that meet the expectations of farms regarding an eventual increase in the price of milk or a growth in production as Terceira's farmers have already invested in their farms with this goal in mind," said the government official.
João Ponte announced that he will meet with the Chairman of Lactogal on January 16 to "raise his awareness" for this necessity, but also to "become acquainted with the Group's strategy for the Region and, in particular, for Terceira Island."
The Regional Secretary also met today with the Association of Municipalities of the Autonomous Region of the Azores (AMRAA) in Praia da Vitória. The meeting was intended to analyse the combat plan for rodent plagues in the archipelago, a "common issue to all municipalities that is also a challenge for the Government."
"We must coordinate efforts in the fight against rodents, which involves the application of rodent control products, implementation of prevention campaigns and the assumption of responsibility on the part of farmers, local authorities and the Regional Government," said the government official.
For the Regional Secretary, "there is willingness to work in coordination, which is something that has been done in the past. Nevertheless, we need to further promote it in the future so that we may overcome the plague of rats that is causing damages in agriculture, but also some discomfort among the population."
Another concern expressed by AMRAA has to do with the amendment to the legal scheme on common land in the Region.
"It is a new a situation that will be under analysis and, in this regard, the Regional Government is willing to introduce the necessary amendments, thus meeting the expectations of municipalities and farmers," said the Regional Secretary.