The Regional Secretary for Natural Resources announced on Friday that the Azorean Government will double the Premium to the First Installation of Young Farmers in the Region, which increases from 35 thousand Euros to 70 thousand Euros.

"This amount will be regulated," taking into consideration the "proper adaptation" of the estimated Community support to the Region, said Luís Neto Viveiros. The government official spoke to journalists on the sidelines of a working meeting with the São Miguel Young Farmers' Association.

Luís Neto Viveiros said the Region is "preparing measures that will enter into force under the new Community Support Framework (QCF)" from 2014 to 2020, stressing the allocation of "funds to the Azores" during a "period of recession across Europe."

Questioned on the applications currently under analysis, the Regional Secretary said this is a "normal" situation in all transition periods between Community support frameworks.

"This situation is the result of a very large volume of investments, which demonstrates the dynamics of agriculture and, in particular, of young farmers," stressed the government official. The Regional Secretary revealed that "the reprogramming of some funds allocated under the CSF is being carried out with the aim of covering a significant number of projects."

According to Luís Neto Viveiros, these financial measures will be allocated to the first installation of young farmers as well as to the "early retirement" scheme; the latter will not be implemented in the next CSF by European decision.

"We are undertaking a great effort in order to include the projects to support young farmers and those concerning early retirement; there is a total 40 projects under analysis."