The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry meets on January 12 with the President of the Association of Municipalities of the Autonomous Region of the Azores (AMRAA) to discuss the problem of rodents, as it must be tackled with a global strategy involving municipalities.
 
João Ponte defended that it is necessary to "intensify" the collaboration that has existed in the control of this pest, which affects not only rural areas but also urban areas.
 
Hence, he mentioned the "importance of building bridges with municipalities in order to ensure an efficient pest control."
 
In order to achieve an effective and lasting control of this pest, an integrated approach is required, involving official entities, companies and individuals in a responsible and cooperative strategy.
 
The isolated use of offensive or eradication measures, such as the application of rodenticides, without the joint implementation of measures that render the environment less favourable to rodents makes it impossible to obtain adequate results.
 
In this meeting, João Ponte and Cristina Calisto will also analyse other matters, namely agricultural roads and the implementation of the Regional Legislative Decree on official animal collection centres.