€166 million in European funds for the agricultural sector
The European Commission approved Malta’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Strategic Plan for the 2023-2027 programming period. This programme provides for a total allocated budget of around €166 million and will provide funding and support, taking into account national challenges affecting agricultural and rural areas.
The plan shall support farmers and contribute towards food security and environmental and climate objectives. Government will be launching initiatives and continue investing in farmers also through new schemes that aim to directly assist farmers, including schemes for young farmers and measures supporting the shift towards more ecological agricultural methods.
“I welcome the approval by the European Commission of Malta’s Strategic Plan on the Common Agricultural Policy for the coming year. By doing so, our country will ensure that the agricultural sector continues to grow and become more sustainable, resilient, and modern,” said Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Rights Anton Refalo.
The minister continued that the Maltese agricultural sector is facing numerous challenges, and the strategic plan is ensuring that Maltese and Gozitan farmers receive a fair wage for the work they carry out. “This encourages us at a time when international challenges are affecting our country’s agricultural sector. The European Funds that our country successfully negotiated will continue to assist all workers in this field,” concluded Minister Refalo.
Minister for the Economy, European Funds and Lands Silvio Schembri said that these funds are vital and will be used for an important sector, especially in the shadows of a conflict between Russia and Ukraine. He stated that “We want to see that our farmers invest in sustainable and diverse projects so that they can continue to ensure food security.”
From his end, Parliamentary Secretary for European Funds Chris Bonett welcomed the adoption of the CAP Strategic Plan for Malta by the College of Commissioners. “The implementation of this strategic plan will not only ensure the competitiveness in our agricultural sector within the ambit of increased environmental challenges but will also contribute towards supporting farmers in a tangible manner,” stated the parliamentary secretary.
Source: Office of the Prime Minister