The Regional Secretary for Natural Resources stated in Madalena that the accreditation of the Regional Wine Commission (CVR) of the Azores as a "Product Certification Body" contributes to "the enhancement of viticulture and wine production" in the Region.

For Luís Neto Viveiros, the initial accreditation granted by the Portuguese Accreditation Institute (IPAC) to a product certification entity in the Azores also "acknowledges the quality of the important work that has been carried out by the Regional Wine Commission."

"Thus, it will become another tool that will be made available to the regional wine sector and the strategy we defend to promote it, as in accordance with the measure created under the Azorean Agenda for Employment Creation and Business Competitiveness," said the Regional Secretary. The government official spoke on Tuesday at the ceremony to celebrate the accreditation of CVRAçores.

Luís Neto Viveiros attended the ceremony on behalf of the President of the Government, underlining that "quality and certified quality are crucial factors to the implementation of Azorean products in increasingly demanding and globalised markets."

In his speech, the government official mentioned that, in addition to three designated wine production regions (Pico, Graciosa and Biscoitos), "there are still several wine production areas without designation of origin as well as extensive abandoned vineyard areas with great potential."

In this regard, the Regional Secretary recalled that the Azorean Government has set strategic goals in order to "revitalise and strengthen the sector at the level of production and processing." Moreover, these strategies are intended to boost the income of wine producers as well as the recovery, conservation and recovery of genetic heritage of the main grape varieties in the archipelago.

The measures will also consolidate the production of wines under the Designation of Origin and Geographical Indication.

The Regional Secretary also mentioned the strengthening of technical support to vineyard culture and wine production, the restructuring of vineyards on several islands, the training of technicians and winemakers and the consolidation of product quality.

"We will continue to undertake all efforts in terms of public investment to improve the conditions of agricultural and industrial production. We will also provide technical support to organisations or associations so that they can be able to certify their products, which will bring added value at a commercial and cultural level," said Luís Neto Viveiros.