The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry announced today that the Government of the Azores will include the structure created by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development to monitor and define the position of Portugal in the negotiations on the future of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) in the period post 2020.

 João Ponte spoke in Lisbon at the end of a meeting with the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development, Luís Capoulas Santos, where he also ensured a closer relation between the Administration Board of IFAP - Financing Institute of Agriculture and Fisheries and the Government of the Azores to safeguard the interests of the Azorean producers in the relation with this institute.

 The mission of IFAP is to validate and make payments under the measures implemented at national and community level to fund agricultural and rural development.

 The Regional Secretary expressed his "satisfaction" with the inclusion of the Azores in the national campaign, which will last for three years. Promoted by FENELAC - National Milk Producers Federation, with support from EU funds, it aims to inform and promote the benefits of dairy consumption.

 The Minister's guarantee to make the designation of Portuguese origin mandatory on the labelling of milk and dairy products is another source of satisfaction to João Ponte.

 This is an important measure, recently approved by Brussels, to defend and recognise the quality of Portuguese productions and, in particular, Azorean production.

 At this meeting, João Ponte will carry out joint efforts with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development to allow the National Health Authority to issue documentation certifying that the Autonomous Region of the Azores is free from animal diseases.

 This is a relevant measure in the promotion of the export of live animals from the Azores to third countries, such as Morocco.

 The Government of the Azores is following other export operations that will be soon carried out in Middle East countries.
 This measure proves the success of the Regional Government's health policies.
 
João Ponte conveyed to Capoulas Santos "the concern of the Government" regarding the amount that farmers installed after 2011 have to pay in terms of Social Security contributions and payments on account, although these matters do not fall under the responsibility of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development.

 After the meeting, the Regional Secretary delivered to Minister a symbolic gift consisting of Azorean cheeses, packed in an Azorean-certified wooden box.

 This was a way to show two of the Azorean products of excellence which, along with others, meet all the conditions to conquer national and international markets.