The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry stated that the Regional Government is committed and working, at various levels, to reach a good proposal for the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) in the 2021-2027 period, so as to ensure an adequate financing to continue the development of the agricultural sector.
 
"Adequate European funding is needed in order to continue the good work towards the development of the agricultural sector and its preparation for the challenges of the future, considering that any decrease in CAP funds in 2021-2027 would be an unjustified setback," stressed João Ponte.
 
The government official spoke on the sidelines of the prize-delivery ceremony of the 5th Fall Holstein Frisian Contest. On the occasion, he highlighted the "major efforts" undertaken in the Region towards the development of agriculture and the reinforcement of the sector's sustainability, noting that the "results achieved cannot be stopped."
 
"The way forward is to harness our production capacity, join efforts and work to improve the performance of farms and agro-industries, reinforcing their competitiveness and profitability. In turn, at European level, we intend to ensure a good CAP proposal, with fair and adequate funding," said João Ponte.
 
The Regional Secretary pointed out that the Regional Government is motivated and committed to continue improving agricultural infrastructures, working to reduce production costs, providing more training to farmers and encouraging the sector to increasingly focus on innovation.
 
"Only then we will have a more sustainable agriculture that will ensure more income to farmers, while becoming more attractive for young people to choose agriculture as their future occupation," said the government official.
 
According to João Ponte, the excellence of the agricultural sector in the area of dairy cattle is evidenced at the São Miguel Exhibition Pavilion, being the result of the major efforts undertaken by farmers as well as of the investments in animal genetics, health and welfare.
 
"This path should make us proud and encourage us to continue the major efforts undertaken in regional agriculture," said the government official.
 
João Ponte also noted that the conditions provided by the Exhibition Pavilion, the organisation of São Miguel Agricultural Association and the quality of the animals in competition have made this event one of the best international contests in this area.