Azores make progress in implementing Travellers' Entry Points in all regional marinas - Communication

Secretaria Regional da Agricultura e Alimentação

The Regional Secretariat for Agriculture and Food is finalising the implementation of Travellers' Entry Points in all the marinas of the Autonomous Region of the Azores with the various entities managing them. This important feature is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

With this initiative, the Regional Government aims to ensure more effective control of the entry of pets from third countries arriving at harbours and marinas of the Autonomous Region of the Azores, whether on yachts or cruises, thus reinforcing the Region's health and environmental safety measures.

The implementation of Travellers' Entry Points in Azorean marinas represents a significant step forward in the convenience and modernisation of the services provided to visitors and the necessary protection of biosafety and legal requirements.

António Ventura, the Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Food, visited the Travellers‘ Entry Point at Lajes Airport on Terceira Island. He stressed the importance of this measure: “The installation of Travellers' Entry Points in all the marinas in the Azores is a long-standing need for the Regional Government to ensure that the EU legal framework is functioning properly."

"With this initiative, we are reinforcing our commitment to the health defence of the European Union's borders," he continued.

He also stated that the Region "signed a protocol last October with the Santa Maria airport management body for the installation of a Travellers‘ Entry Point. The Region now has three Travellers’ Entry Points: one at Ponta Delgada Airport, one at Lajes Airport and another at Santa Maria Airport."

The Regional Secretary noted that although direct flights from third countries are not planned, there has been an increase in private flights that frequently stop there and whose passengers are accompanied by their pets.

61 checks on pets (canines and felines) have been carried out so far at Lajes Airport- it should also be noted the significant increase in the number of pets entering the Region.

In 2021, 350 animals were inspected, including canines and felines. In 2022, 546 animals were inspected, and in 2023 the number rose to 632.

"The Regional Government is expanding its means of controlling the entry of animal and plant diseases and improving biosecurity, ensuring increased public health security for residents and visitors," stressed António Ventura.

This is intended to make the Azores a region of reference for those wishing to travel with their pets.