The Government has launched another aid scheme for Maltese and Gozitan farmers and villagers, with an investment of €2.2 million, under the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.
This was announced in a news conference with the theme ‘We do it together’, by the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Rights Anton Refalo and the Parliamentary Secretary for European Funds Chris Bonett, where it was explained how the financial scheme will help those who work in the milk, beef, sheep and goat sector.
This is being done with the aim of mitigating the effects of the increase in the price of feed due to the war in Ukraine. This scheme will remain applicable until 15 October 2023 and is intended for cattle, sheep and goat herders who have their farms registered in Malta. This while the villagers must remain active during 2023.
The payments will be calculated according to established criteria; payments will be made for a period of two years up to a maximum of €15,000. Minister Anton Refalo stressed how the Government has once again worked to alleviate the burdens that the international scene has brought with it in this very important area in our country and therefore the Government is once again keeping its word with the Maltese and Gozitan villagers and farmers.
He explained how feed is an essential element in animal nutrition and therefore, the Ministry has carried out an analysis on the impact of rising feed prices on the animal sector. This analysis showed how the effects of the war in Ukraine on the prices of straw and dry hay, which are two of the most used components for feed, led to increases of around 36% and 41% respectively in 2022 compared to 2021.
Parliamentary Secretary for European Funds Chris Bonett explained that with the help of the European Agricultural Fund we will see a financial allocation of more than €2 million to help the agricultural sector in the face of challenges and realities global. “We are committed to continue investing in the agricultural sector even with the Strategic Plan of the Common Agricultural Policy for Malta 2023-2027 in which an investment of €166 million is allocated, which will continue to positively affect the sector and the Maltese and Gozitan farmers and farmers”, said Parliamentary Secretary Bonett.
Minister Anton Refalo concluded by saying that this investment is one of the number of other investments that during this last year have directly helped the Maltese and Gozitan villagers. The Minister made reference to several other schemes that were announced in this first year of this Government, among them: Eco-schemes and Agri Commitments, Environmental Climate, voucher scheme for fertilizers through national funds , aid in relation to the beehive mule, direct aid to beekeepers who were registered until the end of the year 2022, and support for income and for farmers in the tomato sector.
