PDR2020: The Olivum is concerned with implementation of the program and its criteria.
The Olivum - South growers Association is concerned with the implementation of PDR2020, particularly with regard to some delays in analyzing the submitted projects.
The association maintains that certainly caused by constraints concerning the budgetary allocation to the volume of applications already submitted, and the investments that are intended to make short-term and maladjustment of eligibility criteria that penalize growers and the industry in general.
In a statement to Olivum justifies its position in relation to the difficulties that most members are being faced, enumerating what it says are “maladjusted criteria that penalize the olive sector”.
The Association considers to be “must not hinder the dynamic” a sector that has been one of the greatest examples of modernization and agricultural investment in the country. The Olivum relates also “has warned” the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development, “requesting a positive discussion” about this theme.
OLIVUM the statement in full
The Olivum - South growers Association hereby demonstrate its position and concern the implementation of PDR2020, particularly with regard to some delays in analyzing the submitted projects, certainly caused by constraints concerning the budgetary allocation to the volume of applications already submitted, and the investments that are intended to make short-term and maladjustment of eligibility criteria that penalize growers and the industry in general.
The olive growing has been one of the greatest examples of modernization and agricultural investment in the country, which highlights the Alentejo area south, It is clear evidence of the culture that represent more than 50% of the area covered by the Alqueva irrigation area and have decisively contributed to the high levels of production achieved by Portugal last year, Possible to overcome the historical production levels of the decade 50 the last century. Productivity now reached, thanks to recent investments in the sector, It allows Portugal to position itself on the world stage as an exporter of quality olive oil, contributing favorably with those exports (particularly for Spain and Italy) for the trade balance of the country.
Being the Olival considered as a priority and culture with a strong growth potential and the national agricultural landscape, We considered imperative not to stop this momentum and are reviewed and adjusted the ranking criteria that are being used in applications, It is clearly penalizing for the olive growing sector.
For example, are some of the criteria that are difficult or impossible to be met in the olive growers and their investment projects:
a) Being a member of a Farmer Group (when the entire industry is organized differently, by its long journey and tradition);
b) Exploration investment object have required Harvests Insurance, hired in the previous anto to the submission of applications (impossible to meet this criterion since being Olival a permanent culture in which only produces the 3rd year of age, can not hold before this age);
c) Display fertility enhancement investments or soil structure;
d) Application with storage investments of raw materials for animal feed.
Understand Olivum - South growers Association, these eligibility criteria and scores, although legitimate and suitable for other crops / activities, they are not to the reality of modern Oliviculture.
So, investment projects in the new olive groves can only aspire to a high score 60% da VGO (12 points) which, given the low budget allocations and the many projects presented, makes the sector becomes virtually excluded from aid under this program PDR2020, and it is therefore imperative to stress the need for adjustments that do not lock up the dynamics of the sector.
Attentive to the needs and industry concerns that represents and the difficulties with which most of our members are being faced, the Olivum has warned the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development, requesting a positive discussion on this topic, for the construction of a solution to the problems presented, stressing that the stay-the application of rules of PDR2020, Olive growers out objectively weakened and at a disadvantage to other farmers. Not only in respect of projects already underway and whose investment was made in the legitimate expectation that they will be assistance object under PDR2020, as well as in relation to future projects.
The will of modernization and investment is a constant reality in the minds of growers, it is evident that demonstrates that the decisive support to these initiatives are consistent and adapted to the characteristics of the sector Olivicola.
