NGOs are urging the Government to ensure that agricultural land is valued in such a way that safeguards farmers.

Eleven agricultural and environmental organisations are calling on the Prime Minister to ensure that suitable agricultural land valuation methods are integrated into legislation pertaining to agricultural leases.

In a joint statement, the organisations said that they have addressed a letter to Prime Minister Robert Abela about the legal amendments to Act 199, including agricultural valuation methods.

They pointed out that the amendment to Act 199 has been carried out in order to strike a balance between the interests of field owners, the farmers and the general public, while focusing on agricultural leases. “As guardians of green and open spaces in Malta, farmers should be given all necessary safeguards to ensure that they can continue in their role without fear of eviction.”

They stated that “sadly, this amendment also removed the only guidelines on which agricultural land valuation could have been established. This threatens farmers facing eviction, and does not reassure them in their crucial work.”

Most importantly, the organisations insisted that “since any amendments discussed in Parliament will greatly affect farmers facing eviction, there is an urgent need to include agricultural land valuation guidelines that safeguard farmers.”

“This pricing should not be subject to market speculation but should use fair methods which ensure that rental leases are affordable for farmers.” The organisations stated that any upcoming subsidiary legislation pertaining to agricultural land valuation should be made in full discussion with the organisations concerned.

Additionally, the organisations said they feel that, while the White Paper on Agricultural Reform includes some encouraging principles, any new systems introduced by Act 199 pertaining to agricultural land valuation should be reflected in future legislation enacted as a result of the White Paper process.

Ultimately, the organisations insisted that “the main aim of this and other future legislative initiatives is the safeguarding of agriculture in Malta, so as to ensure a good quality of life for farmers and food security for Malta in a world undergoing geopolitical turmoil and market uncertainty.”

The organisations concluded by saying they remain hopeful that, as key stakeholders in the agricultural sector, they too can be more involved in consultative processes concerning future legislation procedures.

The letter was signed by:

Farmers’ Central Coop Society Ltd, Friends of the Earth Malta, Ghaqda Bdiewa Attivi, Ghaqda Produtturi ta’ l-Ghasel Malti, Malta Beekeepers’ Association, Malta Organic Agricultural Movement, Malta Youth in Agriculture Foundation, Merill Rural Network, Moviment Graffitti, The “Grow 10 Trees” Project and Vitimalta Producer Organisation.

File photo: Gozo News/Alain Salvary

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