The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry announced that the meat structure, which has now met for the first time, has as its founding members the Regional Government, the Agricultural Federation and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Azores. The remaining associations and cooperatives will be linked to the as ordinary members, with the same rights and duties as founding members.
 
"What matters is that we have reached a positive agreement on the establishment and functioning of the structure intended to monitor Azorean beef," João Ponte said, speaking at the end of the meeting.
 
The Secretary for Agriculture stated that the designation of this structure is still open and partners are expected to submit proposals by the end of this week in order to make their registration and draft the deed of incorporation.
 
Today's meeting, held at the premises of São Miguel Agricultural Association, was attended by more than a dozen partners in the meat sector with the goal of creating a group that will generate added value to an important product for the regional economy.
 
"This sector has a lot to give the Region and we are all committed to doing the best we can to value Azorean meat," João Ponte said, assuring that "this was the common speech among all entities attending the meeting."
 
The purpose of this structure is to promote Azorean meat, find mechanisms to enhance the sector, promote scientific studies and to analyse national and international markets, with a view to developing an economically important and growing sector in the archipelago.
 
At the same time, it is intended to encourage the conduction of scientific and technical studies, covering the different socioeconomic aspects of the sector's reality in the Region and contributing to consumer education as well as promoting actions that disseminate the benefits associated with meat consumption.
 
The Azores produce high quality meat as a result of the efforts of agricultural entrepreneurs and public investments in support infrastructures for the sector, namely the construction of a new and modern regional slaughter network.