The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry stated in Lisbon that the Azores are a "good example" in terms of food safety, a strategic area where a significant public investment has been made in infrastructures as well as in the training and qualification of agents of the sector.
 
"The Azores have undertaken major efforts to improve food safety, recognised inside and outside the Region, which has contributed to strengthening consumer confidence in Azorean agricultural products," said João Ponte. He spoke Wednesday on the sidelines of the first meeting of the National Food and Nutrition Safety Council (CONSANP), which was chaired by the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development, Luís Capoulas Santos, and was attended by representatives of several ministries.
 
João Ponte recalled, as example, the ongoing 15 million-Euro investment in the modernisation of the regional slaughter network, the certification of slaughterhouses, the modernisation of agro-industries and the provision of training to provide farmers and technicians with knowledge on the application of plant health products in agriculture.
 
The government official also pointed out the fundamental role of the Regional Veterinary Laboratory in the implementation of mandatory surveillance, health, food safety and hygiene plans. In 2018, it carried out more than 1.2 million tests.
 
The Secretary for Agriculture also highlighted the potential of the Azores for the production of organic products, considered healthier. In this context, he highlighted the Strategic Plan for Organic Production and the specific projects already underway in the Region for the production of milk, meat, vegetables and fruit. 
 
CONSANP was created with the goal of contributing to the definition of an integrated vision of the matters related to food and nutritional safety, ensuring convergence, coherence and social participation in the adoption of the respective tools.
 
The National Strategy for Food and Nutrition Safety will be the first action to be developed by this structure, which will involve the collaboration of the Regional Government.