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Secretaria Regional da Agricultura e Alimentação
Regional Government promotes scientific risk assessment to combat Ghestnut Gall Wasp
Regional Government promotes scientific risk assessment to combat Ghestnut Gall Wasp
Secretaria Regional da Agricultura e Alimentação
António Ventura says Lisbon Food Affair is "space of opportunities" for Azorean companies
António Ventura says Lisbon Food Affair is "space of opportunities" for Azorean companies
Secretaria Regional da Agricultura e Alimentação
Regional Government to open applications for conversion of dairy farms to beef farms in São Miguel, Terceira, and Graciosa
Regional Government to open applications for conversion of dairy farms to beef farms in São Miguel, Terceira, and Graciosa
February 16, 2026
Regional Government promotes scientific risk assessment to combat Ghestnut Gall Wasp
February 9, 2026
António Ventura says Lisbon Food Affair is "space of opportunities" for Azorean companies
February 5, 2026
Regional Government to open applications for conversion of dairy farms to beef farms in São Miguel, Terceira, and Graciosa
News
Nota de Imprensa
February 16, 2026
Regional Government promotes scientific risk assessment to combat Ghestnut Gall Wasp
The Regional Government, through the Regional Secretariat for Agriculture and Food, has commissioned the Gaspar Frutuoso Foundation to conduct a risk assessment study on the possible introduction of the biological control agent Torymus sinensis in the archipelago. The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Food, António Ventura, emphasised that this decision is part of the regional strategy to strengthen plant health and promote sustainable solutions for pests with economic and environmental impact, such as those affecting chestnut trees. Torymus sinensis is used internationally to control the chestnut gall wasp (Dryocosmus kuriphilus), a pest that compromises the productivity and vitality of this species. However, given the unique ecological features of the Azores, António Ventura defended that any intervention requires rigorous and independent technical analysis before a final decision is made. The government official maintained that the Government is committed to ensuring that the fight against this pest is carried out with the utmost rigour and respect for ecosystems. "The risk assessment study now commissioned represents a key step in ensuring that all options are analysed in a responsible, balanced and transparent manner," stated António Ventura. The technical and scientific analysis will assess the potential impact on native species, the associated ecological risks, the suitability of the species to the Region's soil and climate conditions, and the effectiveness of the intervention compared to other available alternatives. Conducting this assessment is an essential preliminary step, ensuring that the Region's actions are based on the precautionary principle and solid evidence. For António Ventura, this procedure underlines the commitment to technically informed agriculture that balances productivity with environmental safety. “Protecting our crops and biodiversity in the Azores requires prudence, knowledge and sustainable solutions. This is what we are doing: working based on evidence, listening to the scientific community and safeguarding the public interest,” summed up the Regional Secretary. António Ventura reiterated that all future decisions on this matter will be guided by technical, legal and scientific criteria, ensuring transparency and accountability in the management of natural resources in the Autonomous Region of the Azores.
February 16, 2026
Regional Government promotes scientific risk assessment to combat Ghestnut Gall Wasp
The Regional Government, through the Regional Secretariat for Agriculture and Food, has commissioned the Gaspar Frutuoso Foundation to conduct a risk assessment study on the possible introduction of the biological control agent Torymus sinensis in the archipelago. The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Food, António Ventura, emphasised that this decision is part of the regional strategy to strengthen plant health and promote sustainable solutions for pests with economic and environmental impact, such as those affecting chestnut trees. Torymus sinensis is used internationally to control the chestnut gall wasp (Dryocosmus kuriphilus), a pest that compromises the productivity and vitality of this species. However, given the unique ecological features of the Azores, António Ventura defended that any intervention requires rigorous and independent technical analysis before a final decision is made. The government official maintained that the Government is committed to ensuring that the fight against this pest is carried out with the utmost rigour and respect for ecosystems. "The risk assessment study now commissioned represents a key step in ensuring that all options are analysed in a responsible, balanced and transparent manner," stated António Ventura. The technical and scientific analysis will assess the potential impact on native species, the associated ecological risks, the suitability of the species to the Region's soil and climate conditions, and the effectiveness of the intervention compared to other available alternatives. Conducting this assessment is an essential preliminary step, ensuring that the Region's actions are based on the precautionary principle and solid evidence. For António Ventura, this procedure underlines the commitment to technically informed agriculture that balances productivity with environmental safety. “Protecting our crops and biodiversity in the Azores requires prudence, knowledge and sustainable solutions. This is what we are doing: working based on evidence, listening to the scientific community and safeguarding the public interest,” summed up the Regional Secretary. António Ventura reiterated that all future decisions on this matter will be guided by technical, legal and scientific criteria, ensuring transparency and accountability in the management of natural resources in the Autonomous Region of the Azores.
Nota de Imprensa
February 9, 2026
António Ventura says Lisbon Food Affair is "space of opportunities" for Azorean companies
The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Food, António Ventura, attended the opening of Lisbon Food Affair today, which runs until Wednesday and features 20 Azorean companies, highlighting the "opportunity" presented by this event. "It is a space for networking and dialogue. All of this can represent commercial value for our products, which are prized, above all, for their excellence and authenticity," stated the government official. The Lisbon Food Affair is an exclusively professional trade fair for the Portuguese agrifood sector, bringing together food and beverage manufacturers and distributors, as well as equipment, service and technology companies serving the distribution and Horeca channel, both nationally and internationally. "There are 20 companies from the agrifood sector here looking for new business partners," continued António Ventura, who highlighted the role of the Azores Brand, now in its 11th year, in consolidating multiple businesses. According to the Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Food, the Azores praise the various "long-term contracts" established by several Azorean companies over the years at events such as Lisbon Food Affair. In this regard, he acknowledged that the vast majority of products, due to small or medium production, are distinguished "by quality" rather than quantity - the main exception being the dairy sector. “We have unique products that evoke a very specific image. Consumers also seek sensations and authenticity when looking for products in these sectors,” stated the government official, who also praised the recent progress in areas such as transport between the Azores and Mainland Portugal or international markets. The presence of Azorean companies at this event represents a strategic opportunity to meet buyers from various markets, thus contributing to the consolidation of their operations and opening up new possibilities for commercial expansion. The Autonomous Region of the Azores has been participating in the fair since 2024, with a presence in the Azores Brand space, the largest at the event. Companies have highlighted the importance of the numerous meetings held in the Hosted Buyers space, which have generated business opportunities and bolstered the internationalisation process of Azores Brand-certified products. In the 2026 edition, the following companies and their respective brands will be featured at the Azores Brand stand: AgroMarienseCoop CRL, Azores Farm, Azores Jerky, AzorGhee, Boa Fruta, Celeiro da Terra, Conseran, Conservas Santa Catarina, Fábrica de Licores Mulher de Capote, Chá Gorreana, Insulac, SA, Lactaçores UCRL, Mel do Atlântico, Milhafre dos Açores, Moaçor, MPD - Bensaude Distribuição, Quinta das Três Cruzes, Quintal dos Açores, Sociedade Corretora and Yoçor. It should be noted that Azorean products were awarded the LFA Innovation prize in 2024 and 2025 for the Bananika and Bananika Chips innovations, developed by the Terceira-based company Loop Pursuit, reinforcing national and international recognition of the quality and creativity of the Azorean agrifood sector.
February 9, 2026
António Ventura says Lisbon Food Affair is "space of opportunities" for Azorean companies
The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Food, António Ventura, attended the opening of Lisbon Food Affair today, which runs until Wednesday and features 20 Azorean companies, highlighting the "opportunity" presented by this event. "It is a space for networking and dialogue. All of this can represent commercial value for our products, which are prized, above all, for their excellence and authenticity," stated the government official. The Lisbon Food Affair is an exclusively professional trade fair for the Portuguese agrifood sector, bringing together food and beverage manufacturers and distributors, as well as equipment, service and technology companies serving the distribution and Horeca channel, both nationally and internationally. "There are 20 companies from the agrifood sector here looking for new business partners," continued António Ventura, who highlighted the role of the Azores Brand, now in its 11th year, in consolidating multiple businesses. According to the Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Food, the Azores praise the various "long-term contracts" established by several Azorean companies over the years at events such as Lisbon Food Affair. In this regard, he acknowledged that the vast majority of products, due to small or medium production, are distinguished "by quality" rather than quantity - the main exception being the dairy sector. “We have unique products that evoke a very specific image. Consumers also seek sensations and authenticity when looking for products in these sectors,” stated the government official, who also praised the recent progress in areas such as transport between the Azores and Mainland Portugal or international markets. The presence of Azorean companies at this event represents a strategic opportunity to meet buyers from various markets, thus contributing to the consolidation of their operations and opening up new possibilities for commercial expansion. The Autonomous Region of the Azores has been participating in the fair since 2024, with a presence in the Azores Brand space, the largest at the event. Companies have highlighted the importance of the numerous meetings held in the Hosted Buyers space, which have generated business opportunities and bolstered the internationalisation process of Azores Brand-certified products. In the 2026 edition, the following companies and their respective brands will be featured at the Azores Brand stand: AgroMarienseCoop CRL, Azores Farm, Azores Jerky, AzorGhee, Boa Fruta, Celeiro da Terra, Conseran, Conservas Santa Catarina, Fábrica de Licores Mulher de Capote, Chá Gorreana, Insulac, SA, Lactaçores UCRL, Mel do Atlântico, Milhafre dos Açores, Moaçor, MPD - Bensaude Distribuição, Quinta das Três Cruzes, Quintal dos Açores, Sociedade Corretora and Yoçor. It should be noted that Azorean products were awarded the LFA Innovation prize in 2024 and 2025 for the Bananika and Bananika Chips innovations, developed by the Terceira-based company Loop Pursuit, reinforcing national and international recognition of the quality and creativity of the Azorean agrifood sector.
