Regulations have been published for the valuation of plots of agricultural land given by the private sector.
During a news conference, the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Rights Anton Refalo announced the introduction of a legal notice as part of the agricultural land reform.
The Minister explained how the aim behind the subsidiary law is to provide a fair and appropriate price for the crops of agricultural crops, and at the same time offer more certainty, stability and peace of mind in the field. This while it will be built on the principle that the price of the land should be proportionate to the use of the agricultural land.
Here it was explained how after the white paper on agricultural land reform was launched last November, the Ministry received a large number of comments from the sector, something that clearly showed the great interest that there is on this issue as well as the need for reform.
“As a Government we immediately started working on the proposals you gave us and with pleasure today we launched the much needed first step for this reform. In this way we are showing how this Government fulfills what it promises. We have carefully and seriously studied the matter, and are aware that the reform is ambitious and deep, but it is also balanced and based on proportionality. But above all, it is an urgent and necessary one,” stressed Minister Refalo.
Director for Agriculture Marco Dimech gave details on the value that the Government should establish based on the agricultural land for each mound, which value is worked out based on income for the assessment of land based on Farm Accountancy Data Network. This value must be published in the Government Gazette and must be revised every 5 years.
Minister Anton Refalo also made reference to the changes made in Chapter 199 of the Laws of Malta which regulate the ownership of agricultural land, where he explained how through the guidelines that the Government will publish, they will ensure that the prices of the crops are fair.
The published values will reflect various factors such as soil depth, access to water and access to roads, among others, thus ensuring that there is no variation of estimates for the same agricultural land . It is worth recalling how this reform aims to achieve a balance between the two sides, i.e. the owner of the farm and the farmer. This while guaranteeing the sustainability of farming—an area in which 7,500 farmers work—the production and safety of food, and the protection of the rural environment.
