Since Malta joined the EU in 2004, €100 million of EU funds have been invested in the agricultural sector, Prime Minister Larence Gonzi said this morning.
Speaking during a visit to Eurostar, a rabbit farm in Maghtab, Dr Gonzi said that while Labour was saying that the sector would be wiped out due to EU membership, the contrary had resulted.
Farm owner Bertu Bonnici said that over the past two years he invested €300,000 to upgrade his facilities to EU standards. He said it would have been impossible for him to make this investment had it not been for the allocation of a €150,000 through EU funds.
Dr Gonzi said that 8,550 beneficiaries were given EU funds to upgrade their facilities in the agricultural sector.
He said the government was committed to continue assisting the sector for the benefit of the agricultural community and customers.