The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Environment underlined the contributions provided by the Azores Agricultural Federation and other agricultural associations under the hearing process promoted by the Regional Government for the preparation of the proposed revision of POSEI that was submitted to Brussels. Therefore, we can say that this proposal was submitted by "the Azores" and not just by the Regional Government."

During a speech delivered on the presentation of a report drafted by the working group created by the Committee on Economic Affairs at the Legislative Assembly, Luís Neto Viveiros stated that this proposal also took into account the contributions provided by the Parliament.

For the Regional Secretary, "POSEI is one of the most important programmes in the Azores in the agricultural sector." In this context, the government official added that the proposals under negotiation with the European Commission "are intended to prevent the apportionment of funds" that resulted from the high implementation rate of the programme in the Azores. The Region recorded a rate nearly 100 percent in 2012/2013.

With regard to guidelines, Luís Neto Viveiros revealed that they "are intended to streamline the entire structure of the programme in order to render its implementation easier."
Luís Neto Viveiros also mentioned the maintenance of funds allocated to the dairy sector, milk production and agricultural diversification.

According to the Regional Secretary, the proposals took into consideration that "no island could be affected by these changes."

Co-financed by the European Agricultural Guarantee Fund (EAGF), POSEI provides direct measures and support for regional production.

For the 2014-2020 period, the Region has secured the maintenance of an annual allocation of 77 million Euros.