Intervention by the Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Food – Communication

Regional Secretariat for Agriculture and Food

Full text of the intervention by the Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Food, António Ventura, given today, in Horta, at the presentation of the Program of the XIV Regional Government of the Azores:

“The XIV Government’s Program for agri-rural will continue the path started in the previous legislature, in the development of agriculture that is healthy, sustainable, competitive, diversified, precision, resilient, inclusive and at fair prices.

We will continue to work towards reducing human and animal food dependence from abroad, improving nutritional content, cattle farming based on local resources, searching for new markets, creating tax incentives, legislation for “food preference” and simplifying administrative procedures and standards.

In particular, we want a legislature focused on improving the income of Azoreans who produce food from the land and simultaneously support environmental services.

It is true that the income of our farmers is affected by circumstances of visible instability in the globalization of economies caused by military conflicts, the pandemic, migration, the replacement of fossil energy sources and inflation in the prices of raw materials and foods.

We will operationalize the functioning of the Azores Agrofood Observatory as an essential instrument for understanding price formation and the foundation for a possible guarantee fund for milk producers and we will complete the construction of the new Milk Laboratory in São Miguel.

We will emphasize a policy for young farmers, materialized in intergenerational succession programs, adapted to each island’s reality.

We will continue with the participation of the University of the Azores through knowledge and scientific research, mainly using biotechnology.

We want to strengthen the Internal Market, prioritize short supply chains and leverage a policy to increase the shipment of agricultural food goods, in conjunction with external cooperation.

PEPAC 2027 comes with support rates for investment projects reaching 80% and greater speed in approving projects, taking into account the reinforcement of human resources and changes in bureaucratic requirements.

In the POSEI and PEPAC programs, we ensure payment of all support without apportionments.

Direct adjustment, incentive and treasury measures will be made available, namely the option of voluntary restructuring of livestock farms, the production of regional animal food energy, support for the installation of biodiverse pastures and assistance with the financial costs of rising interest rates.

We will create agroproduction actions to encourage traditional crops and protein crops.

We will continue with strategic plans for dairy and meat farming, wine growing, horticulture, floriculture, fruit growing, beekeeping and organic farming.

We will focus on the circular economy, we will act towards zero waste, we will boost the advantages of agriculture in carbon sequestration and we will encourage the green and digital transition.

Through the LEADER program, we will award a prize to the installation of companies in rural areas.

We will establish multi-year partnership contracts with producer organizations, translated into guaranteed and stable annual financing, and we will continue permanent dialogue with the Azores Agricultural Federation, in the construction of public policies.

Professional training actions across all islands for farmers, technicians and consumers will have substantial consistency and we will deepen literacy on agriculture and food in schools and from the 1st cycle onwards.

Soils and animal welfare are pillars of Azorean differentiation, which is why we will follow the soil analysis program and move forward in partnership with producer organizations, towards the certification of livestock farms.

We will reinforce actions on human and animal nutrition with regard to food safety and compliance with legislation and guarantee the research of animal diseases included in national and regional control and eradication plans, as well as others that are useful and necessary to its surveillance and control.

We will give priority to the maintenance and regularization of agricultural, rural and forestry paths and we will continue with the Regional Forestry Planning Program.

Investments will continue in the regional slaughter network, for structural and quality improvements, in the construction of the new São Jorge slaughterhouse and in the remodeling and expansion of the Pico slaughterhouse.

We will deliver to the Assembly a proposal for a new legal regime for rural development. Let’s contribute to a more responsible, more inclusive and more respectful society regarding the care given to companion animals and coordinate with public and private entities to implement it.

The economic wealth and social, environmental and tourist development that is created through the Azorean agro-rural is a value of sustainability and an autonomous asset.”