The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry defended in Ponta Delgada the need to "proceed with all necessary steps" with European authorities "to defend the specificities of Azorean agriculture and a fair compensation for regional milk producers, who have penalised by Community decision and unfavourable market situations."
 
João Ponte highlighted the importance of "coordinating the Government's actions in agriculture and forestry with the European Parliament" in order to "ensure that the interests of the Azorean people will be always defended in the European Union, through coordinated and effective initiatives that combine the efforts of both parts."
 
The Secretary for Agriculture highlighted "the need to verify the adequacy of PRORURAL+, POSEI and other Community political tools to the dynamic evolution of the agricultural, forestry and agri-food sectors in the Azores."
 
The Regional Secretary spoke at the end of a meeting with MEP Sofia Ribeiro, during which they analysed the relation of Azorean agricultural sector with Community policies.
 
João Ponte stressed that the agricultural sector in the Region "needs the support of everyone, including the National Government and Members of the European Parliament."
 
"There is a common goal: the defence of interests of the Azores and regional farmers in Brussels. It is important to coordinate positions to achieve common goals that are important to the industry. In this context, agriculture is the most relevant area since it has more resources and is better prepared to meet the challenges of the future which, as we know, are many," said the government official.
 
João Ponte also highlighted the "generally positive" assessment of the last POSEI report and the recognition of the European Commission regarding the relevance of POSEI as added value for Outermost Regions (ORs), such as the Azores, namely for productive sectors, job creation and environmental preservation.
 
Moreover, João Ponte also pointed out "the adequacy of POSEI with the recognition of the special status of Outermost Regions as provided for in the Treaties or, more specifically, with the CAP, and its efficient cooperation with the Rural Development Programme, such as PRORURAL +."
 
However, the Regional Secretary stressed that the same report "fails in terms to self-criticism to the very policies of the European Union for some of the sectors concerned."
 
"As for the specific case of the Azores, namely the situation of the milk sector due to the policies adopted and market deregulation, the report fails to mention the need to increase the amounts allocated to POSEI in order to preserve productive sectors, especially in Outermost Regions."
 
"The Government of the Azores reiterates the claim to defend, with European authorities, the creation of an additional financial envelope under POSEI. This would tackle the situation that farmers and agri-food companies are facing in providing an outlet for their products, as a result of the Russian embargo and the drop in the consumption of dairy products," said the Regional Secretary.
 
According to João Ponte, it is also important to continue undertaking efforts with the European Parliament and the European Commission towards an increase in the financial allocation for POSEI. The amount currently allocated to the program is insufficient, which requires the annual application of apportionments in the payment of aid."