The Regional Secretariat for Agriculture and the Environment has ensured the timely processing of more than 18 thousand applications for measures under POSEI and PRORURAL +. The Government authorised the transfer of about 54 million Euros next Friday, October 30, for the anticipation of payments that will cover the dairy and meat sectors and, for the first time, pineapple production.

Under POSEI, and in compliance with the maximum percentage allowed by Community law, IFAP will transfer 70% percent of the payments of premiums for dairy cows, amounting to 8.4 million Euros, and for milk producers, amounting to 14.4 million Euros.

In the context of preventive measures taken against the end of the milk quota system, the Regional Executive negotiated lasted year the increase in premium for milk producers by two million Euros, which is reflected in the payment that is about to be made. The negotiations took place in Brussels during the revision of POSEI agreed with industry associations.

Taking into account, the negative effects of the extension of the Russian embargo and the recession in emerging markets in the drop of prices paid to production throughout Europe, the Regional Government decided this year to increase the premium for dairy cows, which is now set at 190 Euros on all islands; the measure will remain in force in 2016.

In an additional financial effort over three million Euros, fully supported by regional funds, producers from S. Miguel and Terceira, who represent 87.2% of dairy producers in the archipelago, will receive an increase of 45 Euros for each animal.

In the meat sector, the Government will pay 6.3 million Euros to producers, corresponding to 70% of the premium for suckler cows.

The Government of the Azores also decided to anticipate the payment to pineapple producers in the maximum allowed percentage, amounting to 2.2 million Euros.

Under PRORURAL +, the Government will make 85% of the agri-environmental payments and those concerning the Maintenance Measures of Agricultural Activity in Less Favoured Ares (MAAZD).

Compared with the previous Community framework, the success of negotiations between the Region and the European Commission allow the support to MAAZD to cover more two thousand Azorean farmers, which represents an increase of around five million Euros/year for these measures during the term of the new Rural Development Programme until 2020.

The allocation of 15% of the regional funds necessary for the payment of aid under PRORURAL + and the good management analysis process, control and approval of applications in the Azores ensure that three thousand Azorean farmers may have access to significant funds in advance.
 
This measure also helps farmers to overcome the challenges they currently face in the sector.
 
According to European regulations, the anticipation of aid can be made in October and until November 30 for payments that would normally be made from December 1 to June 30 of the following year.