The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry announced that the Regional Government will request the European Commission to transfer funds between PRORURAL + measures. This will allow their allocation to the areas where there is a need for increased funds, such as investment in agricultural modernisation, with the aim of better responding to the needs of agriculture in the archipelago.
 
"There is a series of measures that have not have not registered any application in the Region, which provides an overall amount of 5.5 million Euros to be allocated to other measures that need to be reinforced," said João Ponte. In this context, he pointed out the investments in agricultural modernisation and the payments to farmers in areas facing natural constraints.
 
The Secretary for Agriculture spoke Wednesday in Angra do Heroísmo during the delivery ceremony of the 2016 Milk Recording Books, an event promoted by Terceira island Agricultural Association.
 
In his speech, João Ponte highlighted the good use of PRORURAL+ funds in the archipelago. It registers an execution rate of 40%, that is, of the 340 million Euros provided under this programme, 140 million Euros have already been implemented; the commitment rate stands at nearly 75%.
 
As is the case of São Miguel, the Regional Secretary revealed that the Government will take on the interest burden in order to anticipate the payment of the so-called "1.25 cent-aid" on the island of Terceira, which corresponds to an overall amount of 900 thousand Euros for that island.
 
On the Region's proposal to the European Commission, the so-called "1.25 cent-aid" is no longer paid to the industry. It is now paid directly to milk producers under POSEI.
 
"The support measure will be fully paid in advance to producers, probably in February, as it was supposed to be only paid later," stressed João Ponte. According to him, this "is a way to improve the liquidity of Terceira's dairy farms," while addressing the challenge launched by Terceira Island Agricultural Association.
 
With regard to milk recording, the government official considered it to be an "indispensable tool" for a modern, efficient and profitable farm, stressing that "the adherence registered on Terceira has been significant."
 
The Milk Recording Book registers the quantification of several parameters, which reflect, for example, the quantity and quality of milk produced by a cow over successive lactation periods.
 
The Regional Secretary highlighted the growth of dairy production in the Azores, totalling 611 million litres; Terceira registered an increase of 0.33%.
 
Currently, the island of Terceira accounts for 24.7% of dairy production at regional level.
 
João Ponte also assured that the Regional Government will continue to invest in agricultural infrastructures (water, electricity and accessibility) and comply with the payments due to the sector, namely the regional aid to the slaughter premium. It represents a global amount of 1.4 million Euros and will be paid until April.