The Regional Secretary for Education and Culture stated today that he sees "no urgency" to justify a "radical change in the legislation" on the support to the organisation bullfight shows, whereas the amendment to the legislation that was carried out in the past has "contributed to animal well-being."
 
"In the present and in the future, we must always be receptive to the introduction of changes that may ensure and improve animal well-being," said Avelino Meneses to journalists.
 
The Regional Secretary spoke at the end of a hearing at the Committee on Social Affairs of the Legislative Assembly on draft regional legislative decree conditioning the institutional support to the organisation of events that inflict physical or mental suffering or that cause the death of animals.
 
Avelino Meneses ensured that the Regional Secretariat has not "directly" supported this kind of shows.
 
"With often residual amounts, ranging from 750 Euros to 2,000 Euros, we have supported the Legal Scheme on the Support to Cultural Activities (RJACC) and, by recommendation of an independent jury, some publications and events, including conferences on bullfighting. But we did not support shows," said the government official.
 
For the Regional Secretary, this type of support "is normal and understandable in a Region such as the Azores, where there is an island that is most bullfighting land of Portugal and, perhaps, of the world."
 
"The regional rules in favour of bulls and the respect of people for bulls guarantees civility in the relation between human beings and animals, which is to say between human beings and nature," said the government official.
 
With regard to the rehabilitation process of Capelas Basic Education School, the Regional Secretary restated that it will result in a "dignified, convenient and safe" solution that will fully meet "the concerns and demands of the educational community."
 
Avelino Meneses said that "by late June or early July," the Government will have a project that "will enable the presentation of an architectural solution" for that school establishment located on the north coast of São Miguel. Last January, one of its buildings had to be closed for security reasons.
 
"Then, after adding the necessary areas of expertise to this project, we will be able to launch the tender for the contract work, which will take place "during this legislative period," said Avelino Meneses.