ACOS sends today to the Minister of Agriculture a list of problems in the sector

ACOS – Southern Farmers Association is finalizing the document that brings together the problems that the sector is struggling with to send to the new Minister of Agriculture, José Manuel Fernandes. “It should be sent today”, May 10th, guarantees Rui Garrido to Rádio Campanário, recalling the working meeting he had with the government official during his visit to Ovibeja, which ended on May 5th.

“At the meeting, the minister basically listened to what we told him. I spoke about the themes I developed in Ovibeja’s opening speech. And he asked us to send him everything in writing. He showed an openness to solving the problems that farmers face”, highlights the president of ACOS, Rui Garrido.

Among the topics covered was the return of the Regional Directorates of Agriculture and Fisheries (DRAP) — extinguished by the previous socialist government —, the excessive bureaucratic burden of PEPAC — Strategic Plan for the Common Agricultural Policy, as well as the reduction of aid — remaining environmental requirements — and the “dismantling of the Ministry of Agriculture” and its “loss of importance”.

Another of the issues that remains in writing to the Office of the Minister of Agriculture is the fact that, “under the scope of PEPAC, the olive grove is not eligible for investment in the EFMA — Alqueva Multi-Purpose Development” area, emphasizes the president of ACOS to Rádio Campanário, considering this a situation that “is not understandable”.

Rui Garrido also says that, during the meeting in Ovibeja, José Manuel Fernandes assured that “the Government is studying the return of DRAP skills”. “He didn’t want to say much about this issue, but his opinion is that there should be a step back in the extinction of the DRAP, leaving the CCDR’s former responsibilities. [Comissões de Coordenação e Desenvolvimento Regional]. But, note, we perceive his position without having said it clearly; made it clear that this is what he stands for.”