Region's proposal for next PAC strategy presents 15 axes of intervention, announces João Ponte
The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry, João Ponte, revealed that the Region's proposal, which includes 15 axes of intervention, has already been submitted to the Monitoring Committee for the review of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) for the 2021-2027 period.
From the Regional Government's standpoint, the intervention strategy for the next CAP should include increased investments in the modernisation and restructuring of farms, in infrastructures for processing agricultural products and in infrastructures to support agricultural activity. They are primarily intended to promote innovation, reduce costs and strengthen competitiveness, but also to increase diversification of production by increasing organic production and boosting quality production with added value.
The document also points out the rejuvenation of the agricultural sector, the qualification of human resources, the investment in research and cooperation, the development of rural areas, animal welfare and the improvement of food safety as areas of intervention.
The intervention strategy for the coming years in the Azorean agricultural sector must also focus on training the sector to tackle climate change, stimulating sustainable production, ensuring environmental sustainability, ecosystems and natural resources such as water, and increasing the investments in renewable energy in order to contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas effects.
"With the submission of this proposal, we fulfil the commitment taken by the Regional Government to encourage participation in this process by involving the agents of the sector," said João Ponte.
"It is the ambition of the Regional Government that the next PAC be capable of responding to the challenges of agriculture in the Region," stressed the government official. The Azorean proposal will later be submitted to the Office of Planning and Policy of the Ministry of Agriculture to be integrated into the CAP National Strategic Plan.
The Monitoring Commission for the Review of the Common Agricultural Policy in the Azores includes the Azores Agricultural Federation, several Regional Government departments and Aflorestaçores - Azores Forest Association. Additionally, it is also composed of representatives of organic farming and agricultural diversification associations, CALL - Azorean Milk and Dairy Centre, CERCA - Regional Strategy Centre for Azores Meat, Local Action Groups and CVR Açores - Regional Wine Commission of the Azores.
Since 2017, the Regional Government has been working on the post-2020 CAP review in conjunction with the Azores Agricultural Federation, the members of the Regional Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development and the National Government.