The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Environment revealed in Ponta Delgada that the proposed decision of the EU Commission regarding the amendments to POSEI - Agricultura for the Azores was approved without any change at the 7th meeting held by the Committee for Direct Payments in Brussels last Thursday.

Speaking at a press conference, Luís Neto Viveiros stressed that this is a new victory of the Azores, pointing out the work developed in close partnership with the Azores Agricultural Federation and its associates across the archipelago during the first half of 2014. This effort has enabled the submission of "a consensual proposal that included the contribution of all the parties concerned."

"This new victory - after we have managed to maintain a financial envelope of 77 million Euros/year at a time of strong budget containment in Europe - is not only a victory for the Regional Government, but also a victory for the Azores that was achieved without any change by the European Commission," revealed the Regional Secretary.

The approved proposal was submitted to the European Commission on July 31, 2014. It will allow the simplification and the readjustment of the programme in order to better adapt it to the current reality of regional agriculture. Moreover, the proposal also assures greater transparency in the implementation of funds and the reduction in the likelihood of apportionment.

Luís Neto Viveiros emphasised the importance of POSEI and the high execution rates, which were close to 100 percent in 2012/2013, noting that the amendments "will enter into force on January 1, 2015, as soon as the Commission Implementing Decision is published; they will also be subject to regional regulations."

The Regional Secretary stated that this programme reflects "a certain caution" regarding the equity between islands and production sectors as well as the strategic goals of the Azorean Government for agriculture.

Accordingly, the proposal provides a 20% boost in the allocation to the area of agricultural diversification with the aim of increasing self-supply.

The financial allocation to the Premium for Milk Producers, which will be awarded in accordance with the milk delivered to factories, will be increased by two million Euros; it represents a global amount of 21 million Euros per year. This measure aims to be "another contribution" of a "serious of precautionary measures adopted by the Regional Government to face the end of the milk quota system."

With regard to meat production, the Regional Secretary also pointed out the growth of financial support to suckling cows, which is evidenced in the increase of the premium per animal and the distribution of over 5,780 rights, as in accordance with the expectations of regional producers.

Luís Neto Viveiros also revealed that the Government of the Azores has invited the new European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development to visit the Region, adding that he expects to meet with Phil Hogan in Brussels as soon as possible.
 
The Regional Secretary assured that the Region will restate the defence "of the specificities of the Azores and the position that was unanimously taken by the Outermost Region (ORs)."

"We have managed to congregate the efforts of all ORs and we were successful. Due to our efforts and persistence with Commissioner Ciolos, we were able to put aside his intention towards a very liberal revision of POSEI," Luís Neto Viveiros, adding that "this work and effort of influence" will continue.