The 8th and 9th April Agri Committee outcomes
The Green Hand followed with attention the Agri Committee that took place at the European Parliament in Brussels on the 8th and 9th April. Among what was discussed the subjects below stood out from the crowd:
First the EU agri-food promotion policy, everyone agrees that this is useful to strengthening both competitiveness and visibility of our agri-food products. However, there is a but; most Maltese famers do not benefit from these promotion policies as they are constantly running after the time and desperately need support to be able to externalise such promotions. There is clearly a disparity of funding between Members States in this regard. Malta should also promote its high quality and traditional products and boost its DPOs and PGIs.
A strong CAP budget is a non-negotiable must for Maltese farmers already disadvantaged by the fragmentation and the traditional character of their farms and their insularity. This is crucial not only for farmers but also for any Maltese citizens as food security does not go without food production, traceability, healthy food system and fair incomes for farmers. Special attention is needed on farm renewals and water management.
“A Soil Deal for Europe” is an initiative launched by the European Commission aiming notably to establish living labs through Europe to lead the transition towards healthy soils by 2030. Healthy soils are primordial for food production and the Maltese agricultural sector’s competitiveness but also for its biodiversity and resilience to climate change.
Last but not least, energy and fertilizer prices rocketed with the war in Ukraine and the current Middle East crisis. These market fluctuations worsen further the critical situation which the Maltese farmers are in. An immediate political reaction is indeed needed. The European Commission is currently mobilizing its resources to work on a fertilizer action plan designed to increase our strategic autonomy and it is also looking into state-aids solutions.
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