European Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Christophe Hansen on an official visit to Malta
Cooperation between Malta and the European Commission in the field of agriculture continues to be strengthened
The European Commissioner for Agriculture and Food, Christophe Hansen, concluded his two-day official visit to Malta, which took place between 12 and 13 October 2025. This visit was an important opportunity to strengthen cooperation between Malta and the European Commission in the field of agriculture and food production, while continuing to place Maltese and Gozitan farmers and ranchers at the centre of the European discussion on the future of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
During his visit, the Commissioner held several high-level meetings with Government officials and the Agricultural Advisory Council, and also visited a farm where he met directly with farmers and heard from them about the challenges and opportunities they face on a daily basis. He was accompanied by the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Rights, Anton Refalo.
Through this visit, Commissioner Hansen was able to gain a close understanding of the realities of the agricultural sector in our country – including the small size of fields and farms, the lack of water, the need for innovation and technology in farming, as well as the impact of climate change and the ever-increasing costs of production.
The Commissioner acknowledged the resilience and dedication of Maltese villagers and farmers, and reiterated the Commission’s commitment to continue supporting small countries such as Malta with more proportionate and flexible measures.
Minister Anton Refalo stressed that this visit shows the European Union’s recognition of the contribution of Maltese agriculture to the European food chain. “The presence of Commissioner Hansen in Malta is a clear sign that our agriculture has a voice in European politics. We need EU policies to be sensitive to our realities, a small country with limited land, climate challenges, and a community of villagers and farmers who work with great commitment to produce quality food.”
The Minister added that Malta will continue to look to the future with a clear vision: to keep agriculture alive, sustainable and competitive. “Our goal is for agriculture to remain a source of decent livelihood for our villagers and farmers, to continue to encourage young people to enter this sector, and to promote agricultural practices that protect the environment. Therefore, there is a need for a European policy that understands small countries and helps them succeed.”
Commissioner Hansen expressed his appreciation for the commitment of the Maltese Government, local farmers and ranchers to promote sustainable and innovative agriculture. He thanked Minister Refalo for the continued collaboration and stressed the importance of European policies that are inclusive and proportionate, so that no one is left behind, not even the smallest Member States.
This visit further confirms the shared commitment between Malta and the European Commission to strengthen the European agricultural sector, making it more resilient, competitive and sustainable for current and future generations.
Photo: MAFA
