The implementation of the European funds will be jeopardized if the operating fund fails

The implementation of the European funds will be jeopardized if the operating fund fails

The Minister of Agriculture announced that this week he has already issued 450 million euros in aid payments under one application to various sectors.

The Minister of Agriculture, José Manuel Fernández, denied in an interview with Antena 1 e Negócios that there was a “brutal cut” in the reprogramming of the Strategic Plan for the Common Agricultural Policy (PEPAC) and is available to go to Parliament to provide clarifications as requested by the PS.

José Manuel Fernández says he is “gladly” ready to go to Parliament to respond to the Socialist Party.

He also adds that, based on the estimated amounts, the average from 2014 to 2020 was €222.5 million, and that it will now reach €246.3 million. The amount which may not be fully implemented, but which the Minister ensures will not be lost, will be reallocated.

In the interview with Antena 1 and Jornal de Negocios, José Manuel Fernández stated that the Portuguese proposal to renegotiate the third reprogramming of PEPAC had already been delivered in Brussels, that the notifications had already been opened and that the 11 entities in the sector, who gave an unfavorable opinion to the proposal , they won't be able to offer a better suggestion.

The Minister of Agriculture confirms that, on average, there has been no reduction in investment funds. “We have superior investing…it's doing the math, it's the math.” However, he admits that “if they show me that the current investment is not enough, I will change it.”

On the other hand, the Minister of Agriculture believes that leading the 2025 state budget would be “a disaster for Portugal.” He recalls that the implementation of European funds would be at risk and hopes that the document will not be mutilated.

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Furthermore, it guarantees that once the state budget comes into force, the €10 million allocated for wine promotion will be withdrawn.

The Minister of Agriculture announced that this week he has already issued 450 million euros in aid payments under one application to various sectors.

Regarding the state budget, the government official clarifies that the planned Rs 60 million to boost farmers' income is not the amount approved by the previous government after the farmers' protests.

To the €58 million expected by the previous Executive, the government will add another €60 million and by 2029, with the reprogramming of PEPAC, the usual state aid will no longer be necessary, with a budget of €60 million available annually until 2029.

Regarding support for farmers affected by the fires, José Manuel Fernández ensures that all interested parties receive state support to restore production capacity.

The €50 million notice will be closed at the end of the month, but the Minister is ensuring that another notice will be opened to reuse the unused funds, because there are farmers who need more time to submit their applications.

In the interview, the Minister of Agriculture also mentioned that the “Water that Unites” initiative, for better water management throughout the territory, will have “an investment that will be monstrous”, and “a very large amount”.

Without implementing it, he sent the investment and financial structure agenda to January, which includes resorting to the Environment Fund, the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development, cohesion policies, the European Investment Bank and other instruments, in what he also considers “brutal financing.”

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Regarding the CCDR and the transfer of powers from the regional directorates of agriculture and fishing, the Minister of Agriculture confirms that the problem will be resolved by appointing vice-presidents of each of the CCDR with a “promotion.” The program contract for each CCDR will be drawn up jointly by the Deputy Minister of Regional Cohesion and the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries.

By Andrea Hargraves

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