The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Environment revealed today that the applications submitted last year by Azorean winemakers to the VITIS Programme represent a global investment of 2.5 million Euros in the sector, which is supported by 2.2 million Euros.

Speaking at the signing ceremony of a cooperation protocol with Biscoitos Cooperative Cellar in the municipality of Praia da Vitória, Luís Neto Viveiros considered that this investment is "especially relevant in the Region and, in particular, in this municipality. On the occasion, the government official revealed that of 50 applications submitted, 23 were already submitted.

VITIS is a programme designed to support the restructuring of vineyards. Its aim is to contribute to the recovery of the restructuring area for the production of wines under Designation of Origin (DO) and Geographical Indication (GI) categories. In this regard, the Regional Secretary encouraged producers and companies to use the "tools at their disposal," stressing another incentive scheme that was recently approved by the Regional Legislative Assembly, as proposed by the Government: the support to the maintenance of vineyards."

This is a new incentive scheme for the maintenance of traditional vineyard culture landscapes in "currais" (plots protected by stone walls) and terraces and traditional orchards located in the protected landscape sites. It is fully supported by regional funds and will be in force in the entire archipelago.

Luís Neto Viveiros emphasised that the demarcated area of Biscoitos is covered by this incentive scheme, noting that the stipulated support is annually allocated in accordance with the size of vineyards. It may reach a maximum amount of up to 2,350 Euros per hectare.

"There are several reasons to justify this decision," the Regional Secretary said, adding that larger vineyard areas have the potential "to deliver a higher level of economic return, taking into consideration the profitability of production areas."

The Regional Secretary also stressed that the Regional Government decided to extend the period for the allocation of support.

"The support measures were in effect for only 10 years and, now, will be in force for 15 years," Luís Neto Viveiros said, adding that "grapevines take some time to grow and achieve production standards in terms of quantity and quality."