Azores farmers reject folding POSEI into national budget

On 20 July, the president of the Azores Agricultural Federation, Jorge Rita, told MEPs from the European Parliament's Agriculture Committee, visiting São Miguel, that he opposes folding the POSEI support scheme into Portugal's national budget, warning this could prove disastrous. He argued POSEI must be respected as set out in the EU Treaty and reinforced, since unlike other aid it has never been updated for inflation. He also raised high maritime transport costs harming island trade and consumers, and urged that EU security spending should not overshadow investment in agriculture. Committee president Veronika Vrecionová acknowledged the Azores' distinct challenges and said food security remains a priority alongside defence.