The Government of the Azores welcomed the approval of the majority of the goals listed in the seven amendment proposals to the report drafted by the Committee of the Regions on the EU report regarding the dismantling of the milk quota system.

The amendments proposed by the Azores were accepted by vast majority at Plenary Session of the Committee of the Regions that was held in Brussels on Thursday. The event was attended by the President of the Government, Vasco Cordeiro.

"These proposals aim to draw attention to the specific situation of the Azores, as an Outermost Region whose economy largely depends on milk production, in face of the dismantling of the milk quota system," stated the President of the Government at the end of the plenary session.

Vasco Cordeiro stressed that the Government's proposals enable the Committee of the Regions to recommend to the EU report the conduction of a study to assess the economic impact on the decision to end milk quotas that also comprises the Azores as well as the action taken in accordance to its results.
 
"These changes draw the attention to the specific case of the Azores in these matters," added the President of the Government.

The report drafted by the Committee of the Regions on the EU report titled as "The evolution of the market situation and the consequent conditions for smoothly phasing- out the milk quota system - second 'soft landing'" was debated and voted on at this plenary session.

Thus, the Regional Government was able to introduce the amendments to the document prepared by the Committee of the Regions, which has now reinforced the role of Outermost Regions, such as the Azores; the latter produces about 30 percent of national milk.

When presenting its arguments, the Government of the Azores emphasised the unique features of milk production in the Region, which is one of the main driving forces of regional economy, social stability, environmental quality and land use.

"Therefore, it is appropriate to take into consideration, in the context of this report, the specific situation of milk production in Outermost Regions and the consequences that may arise from the dismantling of the milk quota system," defended the Regional Government.