Regional Veterinary Directorate becomes Regional Directorate for Livestock and Animal Welfare

Through Regional Regulatory Decree no. 9/2026/M, published on March 27, 2026, the Regional Government of Madeira changed the name of the Regional Directorate for Veterinary and Animal Welfare, which is now called the Regional Directorate for Livestock and Animal Welfare (DRPec). This change reflects the Executive's strategy to value the livestock sector within the Regional Secretariat for Agriculture and Fisheries.

The new organizational structure, approved by the same decree, defines DRPec as the central executive service of the direct administration of the Autonomous Region of Madeira responsible for:

• Proposing and implementing policy measures for the livestock and veterinary sectors;
• Promoting the quality and food safety of regional production;
• Ensuring the protection of companion, livestock, and exotic animals;
• Exercising the functions of the Regional Veterinary Health Authority;
• Managing the Madeira Zootechnical Station and the Madeira Sheep and Goat Farming Center.

The decree revokes Regional Regulatory Decree no. 30/2024/M and establishes a transition period for internal organization, keeping previous ordinances and orders in force until the approval of the new hierarchical structure. DRPec now has one senior management position of the 1st degree and three intermediate management positions of the 1st degree.