Since yesterday (Ordinance no. 14/2025, of February 18, 2025), the Regional Secretariat for Agriculture and Food has regulated financial support for the construction or improvement of infrastructures that allow for the management and containment of wild animals.

The aim is to ensure that animals are handled properly and safely, “thus minimizing the occurrence of any incidents and safeguarding the safety of people, handlers and animals.” The period for submitting applications runs until May 15, 2025

The financial contribution provided for in the ordinance is intended for livestock farmers who meet the conditions for access to this scheme and who have built, repaired, or adapted infrastructures that allow for the management and containment of cattle registered in the herd book of the wild breed or respective zootechnical register, existing in the regional directorate with competence in the field of agriculture, reads the ordinance.

The support is intended for sleeves, containment cages, transport cages, management corrals, including gates, security balconies, and other equipment strictly necessary for their operation, as well as other infrastructures, provided they are duly justified.

Management pens must be made of sturdy material (concrete, stone, or coated stone), allowing animals to pass through without causing them any injury and without risking the safety of people and animals. The sleeves, containment cages, transport cages, and gates must also be made of durable, resistant material that safeguards animal welfare,” according to the ordinance.

The financial contributions in the ordinance are granted on a non-refundable basis, corresponding to 50 % of the total value of the proof of expenditure submitted. To calculate the contribution, a maximum amount of 10,000.00 (ten thousand euros) is considered, meaning that each grazier can only receive a maximum of 5,000.00 (five thousand euros).

The aid will be monitored regarding how the funds are used and the work carried out.

In Diário Insular, José Lourenço-director

Translated to English as a community outreach program from the Portuguese Beyond Borders Institute (PBBI) and the Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures Department (MCLL) as part of Bruma Publication and ADMA (Azores-Diaspora Media Alliance) at California State University, Fresno, PBBI thanks Luso Financial for sponsoring NOVIDADES.