The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and the Environment stated in Ponta Delgada that the proposed revision of POSEI submitted to the European Commission contributes to the regulation of production against the disposal difficulties faced by markets. In addition, it will prevent apportionments in the premium for milk producers and create ensure greater fairness in the allocation of support among Azorean farmers.
 
Luís Neto Viveiros spoke to journalists after the meeting of the Azorean Milk and Dairy Centre (CALL), stressing that it prevents regional producers from being penalised twice for limitations in factory delivery and the corresponding reduction in the POSEI premium.
 
So far, the Regional Secretary noted that this premium was intended to "increase production" in a decision taken "two years ago in a completely different scenario from the current situation"; therefore, it is important to review the awarding criteria.
 
Following negotiations with the Azores Agricultural Federation that were agreed on at a meeting of CALL, the Region has proposed to Brussels as payment criterion a maximum limit of "95 percent of the production" registered by each producer in 2015.
 
This proposal allows farmers, who produced in 2016 more than the quantity produced in the year of reference, to receive the corresponding premium up to the maximum percentage.
 
In case of producing as much or less than 95 percent of the 2015 production, producers will receive in accordance with the quantity of milk produced by their farms without penalties.
 
Speaking to journalists after the meeting of CALL, the Secretary for Agriculture also highlighted some consensus among partners on the main criteria for implementation of the funds allocated to Portugal by the European Commission under the exceptional aid for production.
 
In particular, added Neto Viveiros, those who have small farms and use environmentally-friendly production methods.
 
"It will now be the subject of a more detailed and comprehensive work so that, by the end of this week, we may submit to the Azores' proposal to the Ministry of Agriculture," said the Regional Secretary. It will be included in the national position to be formalised with the European Commission by August 25, reflecting the weight and reality of regional production.
 
Neto Viveiros also restated that the financial aid of nearly four million Euros granted to Portugal, under the 350 million-Euro special aid that will be allocated to European milk producers, is clearly insufficient.
 
The founding members of CALL are the Government of the Azores, the Azores Agricultural Federation, Lactaçores - Union of Dairy Cooperatives in the Azores and Insulac industries - Azorean Dairy Products, Fromageries Bel Portugal and Pronicol - Dairy Products.