The Regional Secretariat for Agriculture and Forestry, through the Regional Directorate for Rural Development, has already submitted to the paying agency, IFAP - Financing Institute for Agriculture and Fisheries, the proposed schedule for payments under POSEI and PRORURAL+ programmes in the 2019/2020 campaign.
 
The schedule is in line with farmers' wishes as it was stipulated after previous consultation of partners from the regional agricultural sector.
 
Based on the schedule now set for POSEI, the anticipated payment of 70% of the Suckling Cow, Dairy Cow and Cattle Slaughter premiums as well as of the Aid to Pineapple Producers will be made on October 31.
 
As for PRORURAL +, the payment of 85% of the aid corresponding to the measures for Agri-Environment and Climate, Organic Farming and Forestry and Climate Commitments will be anticipated in two months. The same applies to the premiums for income maintenance and loss, development of forest areas, improvement of forest viability and compensatory payments for other areas affected by specific constraints.
 
The anticipated payment of 70% under POSEI and 85% in the case of PRORURAL+ to Azorean farmers resulted from a request made in July by the Regional Government to the European Commission with the aim of mitigating competitive disadvantages and the loss cause drought. Additionally, this measure will also support the financial liquidity of farms.
 
Before the end of the year, farmers will also receive the first payments under the Cattle Slaughter Premium and the Premium for Sheep and Goat Producers as well as under the Aid to Pineapple Producers and the Aid to Arable Crop Producers.
 
Each year, the aid granted under POSEI and PRORURAL+ programmes offsets production costs and enables consumers to have access to food from the agricultural sector at affordable prices.
 
These measures also aim to compensate farmers for their responsibility to fulfil environmental commitments such as more environmentally friendly farming practices, protection of vulnerable areas and maintenance of biodiversity, among others.