Payments to Azorean farmers continue without cuts - Communication

Secretaria Regional da Agricultura e Alimentação

The Regional Secretariat for Agriculture and Food noted that payments of EU aid in the agricultural sector are published annually in an indicative payment schedule issued by the Financing Institute for Agriculture and Fisheries (IFAP).

From October 1 to April 30, POSEI EU aid was paid out within the existing EU financial allocation, i.e., EU financial funds ended on April 30.

With a view to avoiding the cuts that occurred before 2021 under socialist governments, the necessary financial supplements, amounting to about €19 million, will be paid from this month onwards, so that farmers can receive support without any apportionments.

It is important to note that, if there were a socialist government, farmers would only receive the amounts allocated for April, at a rate of 44% for the Cattle Slaughter Premium, 55% for Support for the Production of PDO and PGI Wines, and 90% for support for the Private Storage of "Island Cheese" and "São Jorge Cheese."

With a view to avoiding the usual apportioning of aid to farmers’ income, between 2021 and 2024, the regional budget allocated an average amount of €16 million per year as a financial supplement to the POSEI programme, while in 2025, the State Budget allocated €16 million.

The payment details are published on the IFAP website, alongside all payments under the POSEI, PECP and PRORURAL+ schemes.

Therefore, the claims made by the Socialist Party in a public statement released today are not true, and it is regrettable how much their administrations have undermined farmers’ income through these apportionments.