Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries, Food
and Animal Rights Anton Refalo and Parliamentary Secretary for European
Funds Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi launched a public consultation document
related to the Common Agricultural Policy Strategic Plan (CAP SP) for
Malta for the years 2023-2027. This consultation document is part of a
series of public consultation documents on Malta's proposals for
investing the record allocation of €2.27 billion in European Union Funds
for the years 2021-2027.
Minister
Anton Refalo explained “as Minister responsible for agriculture I was
able to represent the interests of Maltese and Gozitan farmers during
the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) negotiations for the coming years.
During these negotiations, we made sure that the interests of Malta and
Gozo were safeguarded. Negotiations were very difficult but we managed
to keep the Voluntary Couple Support Derogation."
Minister
Anton Refalo concluded by explaining how “I firmly believe that farmers
must be helped financially in order to remain competitive in the
European market."
Parliamentary
Secretary Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi indicated that the total budget from
CAP for 2023-2027, added to the local co-financing, was some €167
million (excluding Technical Assistance). This plan will cover the whole
territory of the Maltese Islands and will build upon support offered
via CAP measures, direct payments and schemes; whilst 10% of the whole
expenditure will go towards supporting initiatives in this sector for
Gozo. He explained how the CAP SP will provide funding and support from
2023 to the end of 2027 and how this was developed following a series of
meetings, evidence-gathering and discussions with relevant stakeholders
and Government entities, all held since 2019 and in line with Malta's
Agricultural Policy 2018.
Parliamentary
Secretary Zrinzo Azzopardi also outlined that the CAP SP is in line
with the European Policies and Regulations for the same time-period and
will support all three general objectives set in the regulatory
framework.
The
first general objective, with an indicative allocation of €67 million
is designed to foster a smart, competitive, resilient, and diversified
agricultural sector ensuring long-term food security.
A
further indicative €75 million have been allocated towards the second
objective, aimed at supporting and strengthening environmental
protection including biodiversity and climate action. This objective is
also aimed at contributing towards achieving the environmental and
climate-related objectives of the Union, including its commitments set
under the Paris Agreement.
The third objective, with an indicative budget of €25 million, will aim to strengthen the socio-economic fabric of rural areas.
CAP
SP resources will primarily be funded through the European Agricultural
Guarantee Fund (EAGF) and by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural
Development (EAFRD).
Stakeholders
and the general public are encouraged to participate in this
consultation process by submitting their comments and suggestions via
email on consultationcapsp@gov.mt
or by post addressed to the Director General, Strategy and
Implementation Division, EU Funds Section, 32, House of Catalunya,
Marsamxett Road, Valletta, VLT 1850 by not later than the 10th December
2021.