The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry announced today that the Government has proposed adjustments to the European Commission regarding the 2019 POSEI programme, namely the implementation of aid for the inter-island transport of young bovines. It aims to encourage the local slaughter of animals that are still exported alive from the islands of Santa Maria, Graciosa, Flores and Corvo.
 
"This aid is directed to the transport of animals from the islands of Santa Maria, Graciosa, Flores and Corvo to the islands of São Miguel and Terceira," said João Ponte. According to him, "farmers who wish to benefit from this support are required to slaughter the animals in the Region and the animals covered by this aid will be excluded from the additional payment of the slaughter premium."
 
João Ponte spoke in Vila do Porto at the end of a visit to a company dedicated to the production and trade of beef and pork meat. On the occasion, he pointed out that this new support measure aims to make the slaughter of animals in the Region more attractive instead of exporting live animals outside the Azores. This will bring gains for farmers and, accordingly, provide a response to the claims of agricultural associations.
 
The Regional Secretary mentioned that the aid will amount to 40 Euros per animal and an additional support amounting to 130 Euros will be allocated to the transport of male bovines aged seven months or over and up to 18 months of age.
 
As for the payment of the slaughter premium, divided into two periods since 2018 (October 2018 and April 2019), the government official stated that the aim is to maintain this measure in 2019 POSEI since it allows farmers to receive the aid in advance.
 
Regarding the maintenance period of animals in farms, João Ponte mentioned that the 2019 POSEI proposals intends to reduce the period by one month so that farmers may have more freedom to manage their animals.
 
"In the case of dairy cows, it will allow farmers to sell them from April as, until now, they could only do so from May," said João Ponte.
 
For the Regional Secretary, the policies pursued by the Government and the commitment of farmers as well as the investment in genetics and crossbred beef have contributed to the growth of the meat sector, which has increasingly generated resources, wealth and income for farms.
 
"In the first half of this year, there was an increase in the number of cattle slaughtered, growing 11.5% compared to the same period in 2017.
 
João Ponte revealed that domestic consumption increased 4.5%, while exports rose 18.5%. In this regard, he admitted that these data might already be influenced by the drought affecting the Azores, which has led farmers to anticipate the slaughter of animals.
 
João Ponte also pointed out that the much-consolidated growth of the meat sector in the archipelago and on the island of Santa Maria in recent years. This is "important for the economic activity of the Region, the island and farmers." According to him, "having a stronger agricultural sector that generates more wealth and income contributes to the territorial cohesion, growth and development of the Azores.”
 
In the specific case of Santa Maria, the government official pointed out that meat production generated 4.1 million Euros in 2017, which clearly demonstrates the dynamics and importance of this sector Santa Maria's economy.
 
"All the investments made in the agricultural sector of Santa Maria, whether in water supply or in the construction of roads and the electrification of farms, are investments at the service of the island's economy, improving the working conditions of farmers and the competitiveness of farms," said João Ponte.