The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry said in Horta on Friday that the new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) must provide a response to issues such as environmental and economic sustainability, competitiveness, and the dynamics of rural areas.
Noé Rodrigues conveyed his opinion at the Regional Legislative Assembly during the discussion of draft Resolution, proposed by the PS, on “Agriculture in the Azores and the new CAP.”
For the Regional Secretary, the new CAP, which demands quality on European food products, should also impose similar requirements on products from third countries that invade the European Union markets.
Noé Rodrigues also considered that the CAP has to be reformed in order to be an efficient policy to meet present needs.
Moreover, the Regional Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry also stated that the Government of the Azores opposes the European Commission’s intention to dismantle the current milk quota system by March 31, 2015.
From our point of view, explained Noé Rodrigues, the milk quota system should remain, not only in the Azores, because it would make no sense, but in the entire European Union.
Nonetheless, the Secretary added that in view of the end of the quota system, we should, then, find alternative market regulation schemes that may safeguard the interests of the Azores.
Noé Rodrigues also reminded that the dairy sector is the only sector in which the Azores have a significant market capacity; hence we should support milk production because it is strategic for the entire agricultural sector.