An information session was held at Dar l-Ewropa this week by the European Commission Representation in Malta, to present the new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) to Maltese stakeholders.

The Green Team Ambassador from DG AGRI, Dr Leonard Mizzi, together with his colleagues Ms Peggy Dieryckxvisschers and Mr Roland Feral gave a presentation on the reform of the CAP to an audience of some 60 participants including representatives of the main agricultural cooperatives and producer organisations, agri processors, farmers, breeders, ministry officials and academics.

Mr. Mizzi spoke about the process leading to the CAP reform which started off with a public debate in 2010 leading to the legislative proposals for the first ever overhaul of the entire policy. Following three years of discussions and intensive negotiations, political agreememt on this reform was reached between the European parliament, Council and Commission in June 2013.

The new CAP 2014-2020 retains most of the essential objectives and approches proposed by the Commission although with a lower budget than proposed. However the share of the CAP still constitues 37.8% of the EU budget for the period 2014-2020 which clearly showed continued strong support for an ambitous agricultural policy.

He then spoke about the challenges and objectives of the new policy and finally about the key issues for Malta via a vis the new CAP whilst outlining the staus of negotiations with the Maltese Authorities.

Commission offcials Mr. Roland Feral then spoke about the new design of the direct payments in the new CAP aimed at achieving a fairer distribution and better targeting of support whilst enhancing the overall environmental performance of the CAP.

Mrs Peggy Dieryckxvisschers spoke about the new framework of the rural development policy which as in past years will be implemented through national rural development programmes which set out the actions to be undertaken and their funding allocations for a 7 year period.

The reform however aims to improve th policy by streghtening its strategic approach as well as the common objectives and interactions between the two pillars leading to a more effective rural development policy.

Following the presentation there was a lively debate between the Commission Offficials and the participants on various issues mainly young farmers, the challenges for Maltese agriculture, the need for innovation and research and renewed focus on quality products.

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