In recent days, several comments and publications have been made regarding the Categorization of Farmers which have given an incomplete, and sometimes incorrect, picture of the process implemented by the Government.
The Ministry would like to clarify that the categorisation was not introduced to create obstacles, but to identify in a fair and transparent manner who is carrying out genuine agricultural activity. The priority of the system is that public support reaches those who are truly working in the sector.
Contrary to what is being alleged, the process was not imposed without consultation. Between 2023 and 2026, several meetings were held with the Agricultural Advisory Council and with representative organizations of the sector, while the proposals were discussed before they came into force.
Nor is it true that the Government did not listen to the concerns of farmers. Through Legal Notice 205 of 2026, amendments were introduced that simplified the process, while maintaining the principles of fairness and transparency.
The Standard Output mechanism is an indicator used at European level to measure the level of agricultural activity. At the same time, recent amendments have introduced two important principles:
(i) more flexibility, including the possibility of considering fiscal documents so that the categorization better reflects sales and income from commercial agricultural production.
(ii) The deadline for requests for review of categorisation has been lifted to give each farmer an additional opportunity to have their case assessed. Guidelines will also be published to ensure uniform application of the rules.
The Government will continue to keep the doors open for dialogue and collaboration with farmers and sector representative organisations, including individual assistance to farmers. In fact, the Ministry is also providing free advisory and guidance services through AgriConnect.
The Government’s priority has been, is and will remain concrete work in favour of farmers whose livelihoods depend on farming. Measures that provide more opportunities and security to the Maltese agricultural community also translate into a direct investment in the quality of the food we eat and the food security of our country.
