In a meeting at Castille with the European Commissioner for Agriculture Janusz Wojciechowski, Prime Minister Robert Abela noted that public and other European funds are being used in initiatives that invest in farmers and in the core in favor of ecological methods in – the farming sector. “Many new schemes incentivize sustainable practices in the agricultural sector, an important area that guarantees food security”, stressed the Prime Minister, noting current challenges such as the war in Ukraine and the conflict in the Middle East.
With the €190 million allocated to Malta in the Multiannual Financial Framework, the Maltese Government has already introduced a number of schemes that directly help farmers, including young people who are being pushed to work in a crucial sector for the country’s economic development . In the meeting with Commissioner Wojciechowski, the Prime Minister pointed out that the derogation that our country has and which gives the €3 million is important and he looks forward to it remaining in force in the next Common Agricultural Policy. This is known as the CAP and supports farmers even in the face of climatic challenges.
Prime Minister Robert Abela mentioned that even on the agricultural sector, the particular characteristics of each Member State should be taken into consideration. “All this facilitates the negotiations, especially those dealing with flexibility for the Member States”, stressed Dr. Abela. The Prime Minister thanked the European Commissioner who recognized the challenges of our country in the field and welcomed the fact that the European Commission is pushing a framework built on long-term goals linked to sustainability in the field of agriculture.
Also present at the meeting in Castile was the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Rights, Anton Refalo, the Permanent Secretary within the same Ministry, Sharlo Camilleri, and the Head of -Secretariat of the Office of the Prime Minister, Glenn Micallef.
Photo (OPM)
