The Regional Secretary for Natural Resources stressed that the budget of the Programme for the Rural Development of the Autonomous Region of the Azores (PRORURAL) is nearly exhausted. This fact evidences that "numerous investment projects" presented by Azorean farmers have been supported by the programme over the last years.

PRORURAL estimated a public expenditure of 345 million Euros for the seven year period of the current Community Support Framework (2007-2013), of which 294 million Euros were subsidised by the European Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD); the remaining amount was allocated by the Regional Government.

"During the current Community Support Framework, the funds available allowed us to support several investments in the areas of milk production, diversification and processing of agricultural products," said Luís Neto Viveiros. The government official spoke to journalists at the end of an audience with the Board of the Azores Agricultural Association in Ponta Delgada that was also attended by the Regional Director for Agriculture and Rural Development, Fátima Amorim.

The Regional Secretary acknowledged that this "final stage" of the programme has already created "some constraints regarding the approval of new projects," but there is still a "small margin" and, for that reason, we are "currently assessing the projects that might have a considerable impact on the axes in force."

"Our resources are limited," the government official recalled, adding that "a decision regarding the future acceptance of projects" will be taken soon considering the programme's current situation.