Malta’s accession to the European Union 10 years ago was a culture shock to the agricultural sector. From a protected industry, largely dependant on import quotas, prohibitive levies and an outright ban on the importation of competing products, over the past decade, the agricultural sector had to adapt to the EU’s internal market mechanisms; no more restrictions on imports, no subsidies and no quotas, just to name a few. Indeed, 2014 was the last year during which subsidies could be allocated by the government.
A change in mentality and approach was needed in the past years.
For the Maltese agricultural product to survive, it only had to depend on quality and competitiveness.
The culture change was harder to achieve for two main reasons: stakeholders in this sector are by nature a conservative lot and, secondly, the State funds made available during the past decade were not spent wisely in this sector. Instead of providing for more adequate infrastructure, the money was more or less allocated as income support for producers.
It is in this context that many welcomed the government’s decision to appoint the first Agricultural Consultative Council in Malta. This new development not only fulfills a government electoral promise but will lead to an advisory body that will serve as a forum for consultation and dialogue between the representatives of the various sectors of agriculture and the government.
It will be entrusted with the task of advising the government on several issues related to agriculture, livestock, processing of agricultural products, bees, viticulture, floriculture and horticulture.
The council will also offer its advice on the formulation and implementation of sustainable agricultural policies.
I’m honoured that George Attard accepted my nomination for him to chair the council, he being a distinguished academic in the sector.
Agricultural technology must be accessible to the farming sector
He will be joined by agricultural economist Stephanie Vella, marketing expert Mark Miceli Farrugia, livestock nutritionist Kevin Tonna, Joe Muscat and John Magro from the agro-industry, agronomist Roger Aquilina and soil scientist Antoine Sacco. These technical members will be offering their expertise and experience without remuneration.
In addition to six government representatives, they will be further complemented by the chairman of the crop farming committee and the chairman of the livestock sector committee.
The crop farming committee will be composed of nine members actively involved in the following agricultural sectors or activities: dry land agriculture farming, greenhouse farming, irrigation farming, fruit production, olive production, viticulture, floriculture, organic farming and a young farmer.
The livestock sector committee will have eight members coming from the cooperatives/producer organisations or individuals actively involved in dairy production, sheep breeding, goat breeding, swine production, poultry breeding, rabbit breeding, apiculture plus a young livestock breeder.
I’m pleased to note that members of the two committees shall have the opportunity to interact on various issues in their profession and communicate their concerns regarding the appraisal of opportunities for their agricultural commodities, increased production, higher farm profits and EU support for on-farm development and conservation practices.
Consequently, I firmly believe that the council will be in a better position to improve the social, economic and environmental sustainability of Malta’s agriculture.
It will represent the interests of the agricultural sector with the aim of continuing to ensure more potential for the role agriculture plays in Maltese economy and society.
The ultimate vision remains that the current and potential benefits of agricultural technology be fully recognized to ensure that Malta’s farming sector can access and adopt such technology for the benefit of national and global food security, the farming sector and the environment.
Roderick Galdes is Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Rights.