The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry stated today that the purpose of the Monitoring Commission for the Revision of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) for the 2021/2027 period is to involve all partners in the different stages as well as to collect opinions with a view to responding to the challenges of Azorean agriculture. The future CAP should be capable of continuing the modernisation of infrastructures and industries, attracting more young people and boosting the value of agricultural productions and, consequently, of farmers' income.
 
"This year, we are entering a phase that will continue into the next year. It will be very important for the construction of the strategic plan in the respective interventions and the governance model. Accordingly, we want to do this work involving the different partners of the Azorean agricultural sector," said João Ponte at the opening of the meeting of that Monitoring Commission in Ponta Delgada.
 
"With a participatory, transparent and constructive" process involving the different partners of the sector in the various stages of preparation of the next Common Agricultural Policy, the Regional Government intends to create a Rural Development Programme capable of continuing to develop agriculture in the Azores.
 
The Monitoring Commission for the Review of the Common Agricultural Policy for the 2021/2027 period includes the Azores Agricultural Federation, several Regional Government departments and Aflorestaçores - Azores Forest Association. Additionally, it is also composed of representatives from several areas, namely organic farming associations, agricultural diversification, 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.
 
Speaking to journalists, João Ponte stressed that the Region's strategic goals for the next CAP will remain the same, such as the annulment of the 15% reduction in the 2nd pillar funding and the reduction of the Region's co-financing rate from 30% to 15%. As for POSEI, besides reinstating the amount of the current financial envelope, we intend that Azorean may benefit from the same growth rate provided for national farmers under the 1st pillar aid.
 
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.
 
At the opening of the meeting, João Ponte stated that the first documents on the CAP strategic plan for the Azores will be made available to the members of the Monitoring Committee in March, for the purposes of consideration and collection of contributions.