Azores plans 10-year strategy for seven native breeds
Azores GuideThe regional government will form a working group to set preservation, promotion and valorisation measures for native Azorean breeds.
The Azores government announced at the 8th Dia do Criador da Raça do Ramo Grande in Angra do Heroísmo, Terceira, that it will create a working group to prepare a 10-year strategic plan for the region's seven native breeds.
The plan is intended to set preservation, valorisation and promotion measures for Raça do Ramo Grande, Burro da Graciosa, Pónei da Terceira, Cão Barbado da Terceira, Cão de Fila de São Miguel, Brava dos Açores and Gado Catrina. The group will include sector and scientific organisations, including the Federação Agrícola dos Açores and the Universidade dos Açores, and will consider the breeds' historical, cultural, economic and social dimensions.
António Ventura said the breeds form part of Azorean identity and that preservation depends on breeders, whose work should be recognised and supported.
The region has 2,607 Ramo Grande animals and 262 breeders. São Jorge has 1,206 animals, about 46% of registered regional stock. In 2024, the government increased EU-funded support for maintaining the breed by 25%; current support is €250 per adult animal registered in the genealogical book.
Support for preserving Ramo Grande oxen yokes has been in place since 2021. In 2026, 34 applications covering 79 yokes were approved on São Jorge, São Miguel, Terceira and Faial. The support is intended to preserve the breed's historical and cultural role in meat, milk and agricultural work.
Carne Ramo Grande DOP has been registered and published in the Official Journal of the European Union since January 2022.
Sources
Azores Guide
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