The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry stated in Horta that the indicators of the meat sector evidence that the Government's investment in the construction of the new Slaughterhouse on Faial Island boosts value creation in the meat industry.
 
"From January to May 2019, the cattle slaughtered in the Azores grew 4.5%, while Faial Island registered a growth of 12%, compared to the same period last year," said João Ponte. As for the export of carcasses outside the Azores, there was an increase of 19% in the Region and 29% on the island of Faial.
 
João Ponte spoke on the sidelines of a meeting with the Board of Faial Island Farmers' Association during the Government's visit to this island. On the occasion, he considered that this "very positive" evolution demonstrates that the investment in the new slaughterhouse is important and is strengthening the competitiveness of the meat sector on Faial Island. According to him, it has created "new capabilities as well as new conditions of excellence" for producers to boost their income.
 
The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry also announced that, within a month, the concession for the operation of Faial Slaughterhouse's cutting plant will be awarded to a private operator from outside the Region. This is another opportunity to reduce the live export of animals outside the archipelago, thus creating more value on the island in terms of producers' income, products, job creation wealth generation.
 
The government official emphasised that it is necessary to continue to do more and better in the meat sector so that we can overcome important challenges. In this regard, he stressed the reinforcement of the efforts carried out by the Regional Strategy Centre for Azores Meat- CERCA towards the adoption of measures, together with various partners, to increase the value creation of the Azores meat.
 
"It will be necessary to continue to focus on consolidating the markets that are already open to the Azores meat, but above all in conquering new markets that are capable of further promoting the excellence of our meat," said João Ponte. With regard to production, it is always possible to improve the finishing of animals in order to better respond to market demands.
 
Last year, the financial aid to the slaughtering of animals from the islands of Santa Maria, Graciosa, Flores and Corvo in slaughterhouses located on the islands of São Miguel, Terceira, Faial and Pico was introduced under POSEI. In this regard, João Ponte stated that, on the part of the Regional Government, it is always possible to improve this aid to increase the number of animal slaughtered in the Region and, thus, generate gains for the entire industry.