CHEGA Calls for Equal Agricultural Support for Madeira and Azores
Madeira GuideThe CHEGA party demands the extension of a €20 million agricultural support package to Madeira and Azores, currently exclusive to mainland Portugal, to address rising production costs.
The Portuguese political party CHEGA has put forward a resolution in the Assembly of the Republic to extend a €20 million agricultural support package to the autonomous regions of Madeira and the Azores. This support, initially approved by the Council of Ministers, aims to mitigate the rising costs of energy, fertilizers, and other production factors.
Currently, the aid is limited to mainland Portugal, leaving out farmers in the autonomous regions who face similar, if not greater, economic challenges. Francisco Gomes, a member of the Assembly representing Madeira, criticized the exclusion as "political and territorial discrimination." He highlighted that the farmers in these regions incur additional costs due to factors such as their geographical isolation, higher transportation expenses, and smaller local markets.
CHEGA's proposal insists on the immediate inclusion of Madeira and the Azores in the support scheme and calls for the creation of financial mechanisms that ensure equal access to such support measures. The party argues that these regions should not be overlooked in future national agricultural initiatives.
"The farmers in the islands pay more for fuel, fertilizers, equipment, and transportation. When it comes to support, Lisbon turns its back on them. This injustice must end.", author: "Francisco Gomes"
Ana Martins, a deputy from the Azores, also emphasized the critical role of agriculture in the local economy and supported the call for equal treatment in government support policies. The resolution reflects ongoing concerns about the economic sustainability of agriculture in Portugal's autonomous regions.
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Madeira Guide
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