São Jorge slaughterhouse will be "work of excellence to strengthen local and Azorean economy, " highlights José Manuel Bolieiro - Communication

Presidência do Governo Regional

The President of the Regional Government, José Manuel Bolieiro, presided over the ceremony of laying the first stone for the new São Jorge slaughterhouse, an investment of more than 12 million Euros that will guarantee a "work of excellence" to strengthen the island's economy.

"Each of you bear witness to and take part in a historic day for São Jorge and the Azores," said the President of the Government at the beginning of the session held in Calheta.

The slaughterhouse will be a "key element in development, progress and prestige." José Manuel Bolieiro recognised the political "determination" of the Regional Secretary for Agriculture, António Ventura, who was also present at the event.

The investment for the construction of the São Jorge slaughterhouse amounts to 12.3 million Euros, including contracts for construction, isothermics, cold storage and the fluid network.

The new slaughterhouse will have a slaughter hall with a capacity for 15 to 20 animals per hour, three cold block chambers with refrigeration capacity and a cutting room with a capacity for 12 beef carcasses.

The construction of the new unit, within the Regional Slaughter Network, will be financed under the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP).

The President of the Government praised the "strategic demand" of the mayors of Calheta and Velas, ensuring "consistency" in "public policies" in favour of the development of the Azores and their people.

Listing meat indicators underpinning its value as an economic asset, José Manuel Bolieiro praised the work of all the agricultural and agrifood workers in the Region.

"It is good to combine the strategy of agricultural development with the quality and food safety of veterinary medicine and this advantage of ever greater food self-sufficiency in the Azores," he noted, stressing that this is also a factor in attracting tourists.