The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry stated in Lisbon that the Regional and National Governments are working hard towards a better proposal under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) for the 2021-2027 period, which will contribute to the ongoing development and strengthening of the regional agricultural sector.
 
“There is convergence and alignment of positions between the Regional and National governments on the need for the Region and Azorean farmers to benefit from the same increase in aid under the first pillar as farmers from Mainland Portugal will benefit. This entails an increase in the POSEI allocation," said João Ponte. The government official spoke on the sidelines of the first working meeting with the Minister of Agriculture, Maria do Céu Albuquerque.
 
The Regional Secretary also stressed that the 15% cut proposed for the second pillar corresponds to the PRORURAL+ programme in the Azores. It will continue to deserve from both governments an “uncompromising defence with European institutions so that this situation can be annulled." Moreover, it is also important to ensure a transitional period between Community frameworks to support farmers' income and guarantee the ongoing investment in the modernisation of infrastructures and farms.
 
João Ponte considered that the meeting was “very productive and constructive,” adding that “it enabled to consolidate bridges between both governments at the agricultural level.”
 
The Regional Secretary pointed out that other important matters were addressed, such as the application of the new US tariffs on dairy products, which include Azorean cheese, and the impacts of this unilateral decision.
 
“What we want is to request a derogation from this decision for Azorean dairy products and this is what we are working for, João Ponte said, acknowledging the complexity of the matter.
 
“On the part of the Regional Government, we will continue to commit ourselves, as we have done since the very first hour, to work towards the abolition of this situation, given the negative impact it will have on São Jorge Island's economy,” ensured the government official.
 
The VITIS programme, the opening up of new markets for agricultural and agro-industrial products, and the signing of trade agreements with third countries were other matters addressed by João Ponte and Maria do Céu Albuquerque at this meeting. On the occasion, the Regional Secretary stressed the need to always protect Azorean products bearing the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) and Protected Geographical Identification (PGI) seals.