The President of the Government announced the purpose of anticipating, once again, the payment of Community aid to Azorean farmers and adjusting the criteria for the allocation of premiums to milk producers under POSEI to the new reality of the sector.
 
"We have to assess, on a permanent basis, the measures that can help meeting the needs" in Agriculture. In this regard, the Government of the Azores has decided to implement these two measures, which need the consent of the Community bodies, said Vasco Cordeiro. The President of the Government spoke Friday at the opening of the Azores Agricultural Fair 2016 that will be held this year on the island of Pico.
 
Vasco Cordeiro recalled that in 2015, the Government of the Azores anticipated the payment of approximately EUR 54 million of Community aid, making use of this prerogative in the European regulation. In this context, he announced that the Government has decided to once again anticipate the payment to farmers, which requires the approval of the EU Commission in Brussels.
 
Moreover, the Regional Government is now able to submit an amendment to the payment criteria of the premium for milk producers that has prepared in conjunction with the Azores Agricultural Federation in order to guarantee that producers are not penalised twice.
 
"This means that farmers will not be penalised when they have to reduce their production and, then again, in the allocation of the premium whose criterion is based on production. In fact, this criterion can help farmers, ensuring that they will not be penalised twice," Vasco Cordeiro.
 
At the opening of the fair, promoted by the Government in partnership with various public and private institutions of Pico Island, Vasco Cordeiro stressed that agriculture and, in particular, the milk sector, are facing a "particularly challenging time" due to external factors such as Russian ban on dairy products, the dismantling of the milk quota system and the downturn in milk consumption.
 
"But the fact is that we have the conditions, especially in this moment of greatest challenge, to implement measures that go up to the limit of our capacity, our powers and our financial resources," said Vasco Cordeiro. In this regard, the President of the Government pointed out the example of PRORURAL+ programme, which will provide more than 300 million Euros in EU funds to the sector.
 
"The fact is that, so far, the projects approved for private investment reach 60 million Euros. It should make us reflect on this subject insofar as it proves to be a sign of investment and confidence in the future of this sector,” said Vasco Cordeiro.
 
The President of the Government also pointed out the structural measures already implemented, including the system of incentives in the transport sector. This has also contributed to the provision of a very satisfactory response to the needs of the movement of goods in the archipelago and the strengthening of the Region's export capacity.
 
As for measures to address the situation in the dairy sector, the President of the Government recalled the Government's efforts, through regional funds, amounted to five million Euros, which are higher than the amount of 4.8 million Euros allocated by the European Union to the whole country.
 
Moreover, Vasco Cordeiro conveyed his public acknowledgement to Pico farmers for their work and the responsibility they have demonstrated in recent years to ensure the continuity of the dairy industry on this island.
 
In his speech, the President of the Government also said the organisation of the Azores Agricultural Fair 2016 on Pico Island should be an opportunity to show the best we have achieved in agriculture, but also an opportunity of incentive and encouragement to all those involved in this activity.