Regional Government advocates increased agricultural cooperation among all Outermost Regions
The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry defended in Ponta Delgada that Outermost Regions, besides sharing common struggles under the future Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) in 2021-2027, should step up cooperation in the agricultural sector through the exchange of knowledge, practices and exchanges.
“Unity and increased cooperation among all the islands that make up the Outermost regions of the European Union is absolutely essential, especially at the agricultural level since there are similar agricultural productions. Through dialogue and knowledge exchange, it will be easier to achieve gains in efficiency and competitiveness," said João Ponte. The government official spoke on the sidelines of a meeting with a delegation of agricultural producers from Martinique.
This delegation is visiting the island of São Miguel until November 22. It is composed of the Martinique Pineapple Cooperative, Jean Claude Capron, and the Vice-President of the Committee on Agricultural Development and Agro-Industry of the Assembly of Martinique, Lucien Adenet.
The Regional Secretary pointed out that the Outermost Regions face common challenges in agriculture, namely in terms of production costs or export-related challenges, among others.
“If we are all united and know each other well, it will certainly be easier to make agriculture stronger and more sustainable on these islands that will be better able to face common challenges,” João Ponte said, pointing out the defence of POSEI budget in the next PAC as another of the main struggles of Outermost Regions.
"The status of Outermost Regions must be respected and continue to be adequately funded by the European Union in order to reduce high production costs and aid farmers as well as to offset additional costs generated by the distance from markets, geographic dispersion, weather conditions and the farm size," said João Ponte.
The European Union comprises nine Outermost Regions, geographically far from the European continent, such as the Azores and Madeira (Portugal), the Canary Islands (Spain), Guadeloupe, Reunion, French Guiana, Martinique, Saint Martin and Mayotte (France).