Malta welcomes proposals on funding for farmers and growers

Malta has welcomed proposals by European Agriculture Commissioner Mariann Fisher Boel for farmers and producers of fruit and vegetables.

Through these proposals, producers will no longer be eligible for EU funds according to the quantities they produce, as the system is at present, but according to a new set of rules that include the size of the land, the systems used and the protection of the environment.

Parliamentary Secretary Francis Agius, who attended the Council of Ministers' meeting, said Malta agreed with the proposal for a reform in the fruit and vegetable market.

On the proposals regarding the removal of EU intervention in the maize market, Dr Agius insisted on the need to retain the price stability of cereals in an internal market made up of 27 states where long distances existed.

Fodder was an important element both to producer countries and to those who depend on this production.

A balance in prices, he said, would help production areas such as the milk and pork sectors to remain competitive.