COVID situation and farmers | updated 24.12.2020

Here are the latest developments regarding the COVID situation in relation to agriculture and how it might affect farmers and breeders.

Over the past few months, the MaYA Foundation has assisted several farmers who were caught under a mandatory quarantine. While doing so, we have been in close contact with relevant departments within the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Health. 

Until a few weeks ago, bona fide farmers were being granted exemptions, upon request and subject to approval. Such exemptions allowed farmers to visit the farm for an hour early in the morning, and an hour late a night.

Yesterday we got to know from the Quarantine team that "no exemptions can be granted for the feeding of animals / tending to crops". The email stated that the Agriculture Extension services, Fisheries as well as the Animal Health and Welfare department may be contacted. Unfortunately, as far as we know, this drastic change has not yet been communicated officially. 

Following our communication with the Office of the Commissioner for Animal Welfare, we were told that "the wellbeing of the animals should always come first and farmers should always have a backup plan for feeding their animals." They also expressed their concern about preparedness and asked "What if it wasn’t Covid-19 but God forbid an accident that lands the farmer in hospital? These things happen, and preparation is key."

MaYA Foundation sounds warning over potential impact of EU funds

Malta Youth in Agriculture (MaYA) has expressed its dismay at Infrastructure Malta’s plans to sacrifice 20 tumoli of irrigated land in Imrieħel. In a statement, the farming NGO stated its concern about the project as well as the wider ramifications of giving up agricultural land for the sake of further roadbuilding, a trend which has already cost the country huge swathes of arable land and open spaces. Safeguarding agricultural land should not come at a cost to road safety, however, the NGO is positive that alternative solutions may be found when all stakeholders are consulted. 

The NGO welcomed the interventions of political grandees such as former President Marie Louise Coleiro Preca and MEP Dr Alfred Sant who both expressed their concern at the intention to build new road junctures instead of arable land, noting that this latest development piles further misery onto the farming sector in Malta. 

“This case brings to the fore the various issues already faced by farmers when it comes to land use. Farmers are constantly under threat, because projects such as these may throw them out of a livelihood at any time. In addition to this, we are yet to see the repercussions of a recent constitutional case related to the lease of agricultural land, an issue which has been neglected by subsequent administrations and which will cause further damage to the sector.”

Whilst welcoming initiatives such as those related to urban embellishment, the NGO said that this alone is not enough to protect Malta’s green spaces, particularly considering the persistent dangers looming over these areas from various quarters including development and roadbuilding.

Quoting statistics from the European Environment Agency, MaYA said agriculture remains the primary land user in Malta (51%), and due to the lack of forests (only 0.7%), it also represents the only green lung left on the islands. Malta is also the most densely populated Member State in the EU with 22% of its area classified as urban area. “The number of dwellings approved in ODZ areas has increased over the past years, meaning that a sealed (built) area will never be returned to its original state.”

Whilst the general public may have become more sensitive to the importance of open spaces for their recreational value, awareness needs to be raised about food security, the livelihoods of rural communities and the conservation of rural traditions, all of which are widely acknowledged by the European Union in its reports.

MaYA also sounded out a warning about the potential impact of EU funds dedicated to agriculture, saying that these funds hinged on a clear government strategy and the approval of Rural Development Plans. “European funds allocated to Malta – which has been classified as a Less Favoured Area (LFA) – may be affected due to the uptake of agricultural land by various forms of development. Against this background, and in the context of continuous threats to our rural areas, we should focus our efforts on preserving the agricultural status of such limited land”.

The NGO called on government to introduce a no-tolerance approach on the further loss of agricultural land, which jeopardise directly the livelihoods of farmers, local food supply, open spaces and also EU funding, noting that massive projects such as Central Link and the Magħtab incinerator involve the takeup of vast areas of arable land.

MaYA also believes that rural and urban planning should go beyond the 5-year mandate of a political party, and that a long term vision is needed to “make good use of EU funding whilst allowing farmers to maintain a crucial role in the landscape and territorial management.”

L-NGO impenjata fl-agrikoltura twissi dwar it-telfien potenzjali ta’ fondi tal-UE

L-NGO Malta Youth in Agriculture (MaYA) uriet id-dispjaċir tagħha għall-pjanijiet ta’ Infrastructure Malta li tissagrifika 20 tomna raba’ saqwi fl-Imrieħel. Fi stqarrija, l-NGO tal-bdiewa żgħażagħ esprimiet it-tħassib tagħha dwar il-proġett kif ukoll l-implikazzjonijiet iżjed wiesa’ tat-telf ta’ art agrikola għall-bini ta’ iżjed toroq, xejra li diġà swiet lil pajjiżna meded kbar ta’ art agrikola u spazji miftuħa. Is-salvagwardja tal-art agrikola m’għandhiex tasal a spejjeż tas-sikurezza fit-toroq iżda l-NGO temmen li tista’ tinstab soluzzjoni alternattiva jekk jiġu kkonsultati l-partijiet interessati kollha.

MaYA laqgħet l-interventi ta’ politiċi bħall-eks President tar-Repubblika Marie Louise Coleiro Preca u tal-MPE Dr Alfred Sant, li wrew it-tħassib tagħhom dwar il-ħsieb li jinbnew iżjed toroq minflok ir-raba’ saqwi, u tinnota kif dan l-aħħar żvilupp jitfa’ iżjed piżijiet fuq is-settur tal-biedja f’pajjiżna.

“Dan il-każ jerġa’ jitfa’ l-attenzjoni fuq il-bosta kwistjonijiet li diġà jiffaċċjaw il-bdiewa fejn jidħol l-użu tal-art. Il-bdiewa jinsabu taħt theddida kontinwa, peress li proġetti bħal dawn jistgħu jitfgħuhom ‘il barra minn arthom fi kwalunkwe ħin. Barra minn hekk, għad irridu naraw ir-riperkussjonijiet ta’ każ kostituzzjonali riċenti marbut mal-kera tal-art agrikola, kwistjoni li ġiet minsija minn amministrazzjonijiet sussegwenti u li se tikkawża iktar ħsara lis-settur.”

Filwaqt li laqgħet inizjattivi bħal dawk marbuta mat-tisbiħ fiż-żoni urbani, l-NGO qalet li dan waħdu mhux biżżejjed sabiex jiġu protetti l-ispazji ħodor ta’ Malta, b’mod partikolari meta jittieħed kont tal-perikli persistenti li fihom jinsabu dawn iż-żoni minħabba l-iżvilupp u l-bini tat-toroq.

Filwaqt li kkwotat statistiki mill-Aġenzija Ewropea għall-Ambjent1, MaYA qalet li l-agrikoltura tibqa’ l-ikbar użu primarju tal-art f’Malta (51%) u minħabba n-nuqqas ta’ foresti (li jammontaw għal 0.7% biss), l-agrikoltura tirrappreżenta wkoll l-aħħar pulmun li fadal fil-gżejjer. Malta hija l-iżjed Stat Membru tal-EU li għandha densità tal-popolazzjoni, bi 22% fil-mija tal-arja tagħha kklassifiata bħala żona urbana. “In-numru ta’ residenzi approvati f’żoni ODZ żdied tul is-snin li għadda, u dan ifisser li żona mibnija qatt mhu se tiġi rritornata għall-istat oriġinali tagħha.”

Filwaqt li jista’ jkun li l-pubbliku sar iżjed sensittiv għall-importanza tal-ispazji miftuħa għall-valur rikreattiv tagħhom, għandha titqajjem kuxjenza dwar is-sikurezza tal-ikel, l-għajxien tal-komunitajiet rurali u l-konservazzjoni tat-tradizzjonijiet rurali, li lkoll huma rikonoxxuti mill-Unjoni Ewropea fir-rapporti tagħha.

Il-MaYA wissiet ukoll dwar l-impatt potenzjali fuq il-fondi tal-UE għall-agrikoltura, fejn qalet li dawn il-fondi jiddependu fuq strateġija ċara tal-gvern u l-approvazzjoni tal-Pjanijiet għall-Iżvilupp Rurali. “Il-fondi Ewropej allokati għal Malta – li ġiet ikklassifikata bħala żona żvantaġġata (LFA) – jistgħu jiġu affettwati mit-teħid tal-art agrikola għal forom differenti ta’ żvilupp. F’dan l-isfond, fil-kuntest tat-theddid kontinwu lejn iż-żoni rurali tagħna, għandna niffukaw l-isforzi tagħna fuq il-preservazzjoni tal-istatus agrikolu ta’ din l-art tant limitata.”

L-NGO talbet lill-gvern jieħu approċċ strett kontra t-telfien ta’ art agrikola ulterjuri, li jipperikola direttament l-għajxien tal-bdiewa, il-provvista lokali tal-ikel, l-ispazji miftuħa kif ukoll il-finanzjamenti mill-UE, u nnotatat li proġetti massiċċi bħal tas-Central Link u l-inċineratur tal-Magħtab jinvolvu t-teħid ta’ meded kbar ta’ art agrikola.

MaYA temmen ukoll li l-ippjanar rurali u urban għandhom imorru lilhinn mill-mandat ta’ ħames snin ta’ partit politiku, u li tinħtieġ viżjoni fit-tul sabiex “isir użu tajjeb mill-fondi tal-UE filwaqt li l-bdiewa jkunu jistgħu jżommu rwol kruċjali fil-ġestjoni territorjali u tal-pajsaġġ.”

Infrastructure for farmers

 

Focus group 14.12.2020

 

IMPORTANTI: Laqgħa ta' Konsultazjoni - 24/27 ta' Novembru 2020

Il-Ministeru għall-Agrikoltura, Sajd u Drittijiet tal-Annimali jixtieq jistedinkom għal żewġ laqgħat ta’ konsultazzjoni għar-raħħala u bdiewa Maltin u Għawdxin, fejn tigi diskussa l-implimentazzjoni tal-politika nazzjonali tal-agrikoltura u d-diversi sfidi f’dan is-settur.

Il-laqgħat ta’ konsultazzjoni se jsiru f’Malta nhar it-Tlieta 24 ta’ Novembru 2020 ġewwa Villa Arrigo fin-Naxxar mill-4pm sas-7.00pm, u nhar il-Ġimgħa 27 ta’ Novembru ġewwa l-Grand Hotel fl-Imġarr, Għawdex mill-4pm sas-7.00pm.

 

Dan se jkun eżerċizzju fejn inkomplu nisimgħu direttament mingħand il-bdiewa u r-raħħala nfushom dwar il-bżonnijiet u d-diffikultajiet tas-settur. B’hekk tkun tista tkompli titfassal politika li tagħmel is-settur agrikolu aktar sostenibbli u tpoġġi l-interessi tal-bdiewa u s-sajjieda fiċ-ċentru tagħha. 

 

Fiċ-ċirkostanzi preżenti, se jitħarsu l-miżuri tad-distanza soċjali tal-Covid-19 hekk kif stabbiliti mid-Dipartiment tas-Saħħa Pubblika. Għaldaqstant, dawn il-laqgħat se jkunu miftuħa għall-ewwel 100 persuna li jirreġistraw għal kull laqgħa. Nitlobkom tikkonfermaw l-attendenza tagħkom bit-telefon fuq 22924203 mill-iktar fis. Kull min jattendi jrid jilbes maskra matul is-sessjoni kollha.

 

Photo Credit: Christian Borg (FoEM - MaYA)

Information and recommendations about farmers and COVID-19 quarantine measures

The MaYA Foundation has been following a few cases where farmers have been obliged to follow quarantine rules. Frequently asked questions and official replies can be obtained on this link: https://agrifish.gov.mt/en/Documents/coronavirus/faqCoronaVirusEN.pdf

A farmer may be obliged to stay at home for 15 days as a preventive measure or in case of a positive COVID-19 result. One may then request for an exemption by email and only after providing detailed information about farming duties an exemption might be granted from the Health Department following further investigations and recommendations by relevant departments.

We are aware that such exemptions are stringent especially for full-time farmers, so we have been trying to understand the situation better while liaising with relevant departments.

 

Following communication with various health and agri officials over the past few days, we have gathered the following list of issues and recommendations. These recommendations have been forwarded to the relevant departments.

 

Provisions necessary 

As far as we know, farmers have not been specifically notified, about the conditions they need to abide by in case of quarantine. Unfortunately, the quarantine situation may lead to a number of difficult situations. 

We are aware of the struggles faced in order to obtain an exemption, and wish to prevent similar situations from happening in the future. 

Not all farms are equipped with basic amenities and for public health reasons, a citizen with all the civil rights and dignity, of course, cannot go and live on a farm in such conditions. Some farmers live on the same premises, but not everyone is as lucky.

Recommendation: We appreciate that quarantine rules cannot be breached, and that an exemption is difficult to obtain, so we are advocating for sector-sensitive considerations, measures and awareness. 

Stakeholders and farmers alike need to be alerted about the current situation, and a corresponding action plan clearly set out to be followed when it becomes necessary.

Being unprepared is the worst possible scenario. 

 

Time window

An allocation of one hour a day is simply not enough to manage a whole farm, irrespective of the size of the holding/herd. Full-time farmers especially, spend more than 10 hours a day on average managing their farms and one cannot simply abandon farm operations. 

Many farmers manage their farms together with other family members, but others do not. If a farm has a workforce of say 3 persons, and suddenly the load is shared between just 2, there are surely several repercussions.

Recommendation: Since there are no freelance service providers who can replace their work (not even at a cost), we would like to ask whether a temporary skilled workforce funded by the Ministry can be set up to alleviate such situations. 

 

Location where quarantine needs to be carried out

Arable farmers, livestock breeders and farm managers working on mixed farms may encounter different situations. We believe that a case-by-case approach needs to be adopted together with a strong communication channel that needs to be established between the farmer and related government officials. 

The 111 helpline gives advice on the health aspects of such situations but not on the agri/veterinary/welfare side.

One must not forget that at the beginning of the pandemic, farmers were considered an important asset for the country, for food security reasons. Now that the second wave has hit, we still need to be very careful and fully support food producers, in all manners possible.

 

Transportation of feeds, live/dead animals

A farmer under quarantine cannot leave the farm (if he/she is carrying out the mandatory quarantine on the farm). Obtaining feeds, other resources and transporting live/dead animals might be complicated to avoid exposure with other persons.

If the farmer is not living on the farm throughout quarantine and is visiting the farm during limited hours as obliged by health authorities, this will likely pose difficulties coordinating deliveries, where delivery persons carrying feeds may not be readily available to carry feeds at 5am or after 10pm. 

Recommendation: Farmers need to be encouraged and advised to store sufficient resources for a period of 15 days on the farm, in case they are on quarantine.

In the case that an animal needs to be urgently transferred from one farm to another, or to the abattoir, farmers are suggesting that a temporary service is provided by the veterinary services.

 

Financial losses incurred

If a farmer neglects his crops/livestock, huge financial losses will result. Such losses need to be avoided at all costs. Farmers need to set up a contingency plan in case they cannot sell their products or losses are suffered during quarantine. 

Farmers are asking who will be responsible for such losses. 

Recommendation: All farmers need to be aware of what can happen and how to deal with such situations. A support fund needs to be set up in order for farmers to fall back on in case of need.

We shall be keeping our followers informed through the news section of our website and on MaYA Facebook page. 

To keep in touch, drop us a line on info@maya.org.mt.

 

 

Planning and environment issues raised by young farmers

The revision of the Rural Policy has been discussed during a meeting held yesterday with Hon. Aaron Farrugia at Casa Leone. The Minister expressed willingness to assist in environmental and planning issues that can improve the situation of farming in Malta. The overall outcome of the meeting was positive and more discussions will be held between MaYA and MECP in the near future. 

Ms. Jeanette Borg, Mr. Karl Scerri and Mr. Jorge Spiteri from the MaYA Foundation attended the meeting. Mr. Cyrus Engerer from MECP was also present for the meeting. 

Here is a short summary about the points we have raised during the meeting;

- The primary aim of the policy should be to enable genuine farmers to operate and invest in a sustainable manner. Bona fide farmers need to be given more credit and priority. Farmers are the most important stakeholders in rural areas; as food producers and guardians of the countryside.

- There is an urgent need to facilitate planning applications for water harvesting interventions. Water scarcity remains one of the most pressing issues in our country and without water harvesting solutions, farmers would need to resort to other sources of water that are not necessarily sustainable. 

- Permitting issues related to agri-storage facilities and cold stores also need to be given priority and allow for flexibility. 

- Every specific sub-sector has its own planning requirements. Such requirements may change over time due to industry forces. 

- There is a need to improve how we define an active farmer and basic land management criteria for planning and permitting purposes. In order to allow innovation and diversification, policies need to be flexible enough to allow genuine and legitimate investments. 

- Policies are only documents and not law - boundaries are set rather than hard fixed rules. A policy needs to give a clear direction, rather than give specific details of what can, and cannot be done. In our opinion, this is why certain difficulties arise when adjudicating projects. On the other hand, such policies can lead to new laws. 

- Relevant authorities need to be allocated more resources for the effective eradication of alien and invasive species. 

- Bureaucracy is hindering progress in the agriculture sector. Any efforts to consolidate and reduce fragmentation within government entities would be welcome. 

To view the feedback document prepared by MaYA and ACT click here.

Should you wish to submit feedback and suggestions, you may do so by sending an email on info@maya.org.mt.

The Malta Business Observer | 24.9.2020 on the Times of Malta

CAP Renewal post 2020: land-based payments

Now that discussions about the new CAP are underway, farmers are bringing suggestions forward to MaYA Foundation. These, together with other recommendations will be passed on to the Minister of Agriculture and the Parliamentary Secretary for European Funds in a few weeks time. 

Malta is the smallest country within the European Union, with a total area of 11,000 hectares of agricultural land. This area is relatively insignificant compared to other countries within the EU, however many of the payments related to the CAP are tied to land area. This is one major challenge for Malta, as it cannot utilise area-based funding with the same efficacy as other countries do. 

There have been various mentions that landbased payments funded by the CAP need to be targeted towards the actual farmers. However, this is not always happening, since landowners from whom the farmers lease the land, might end up as being beneficiaries themselves. Farmers working the land would not be able to apply for these land-based payments if the owner would already be availing himself/herself of such payments.

The system needs to be revised in such a way to ensure that genuine farmers are the main beneficiaries of land-based CAP payments. This issue, amongst others tied to land-based payments, has been flagged many times all over Europe and now that strategic plans are being laid out, policymakers need to ensure that the next programming period will be more relevant and targeted towards those who bring forward positive benefits in rural areas. 

Jeanette Borg

Founder, MaYA Foundation

Photo by Steve Bonello

More information

https://www.euractiv.com/section/agriculture-food/news/eu-agricultural-policy-incoherent-and-outdated-report/?fbclid=IwAR2zc6vAqWuMGG0qR0Us8Ivm43VLfEnkVsML8qcdQY8eGUXp5o--7rdmOos

https://www.fwi.co.uk/business/business-management/tenancies-rents/top-8-farm-tenancy-issues-solve 

Farmers worried about crops weathering irregular rainfall patterns

"As Malta moves into the autumn, a heavier than normal rainfall in the coming weeks may spell disaster for Malta’s food crops"

Nicole Meilak from Maltatoday explains further.

Click here to read the article. 

Recommendations on the Pitkalija Reform - FoEM & MaYA

Friends of the Earth Malta (FoEM) & the Malta Youth in Agriculture Foundation (MaYA) welcome the reform of the Pitkali Market since the current operation at the market has been heavily criticised due to lack of transparency in prices and a lack of traceability, as weighing and data inputting are still done manually.

Both organisations presenting this document have been for quite some time pushing for better supply chain management when it comes to local products, therefore we look forward to seeing the imminent implementation of the Pitkalija Reform.

Click here to access the full comments on the Pitkalija Reform Document. 

A selection of resources relating to Pitkalija.

AgroKatina | Friends of the Earth Malta (FoEM)

Lack of transparency at pitkalija a major issue for farmers | The Malta Independent | Malcolm Borg, Centre for Agriculture at MCAST

National Agricultural Policy for the Maltese Islands 2018 – 2028 | Final Report prepared for the Ministry for the Environment, Sustainable Development and Climate Change

Pitkali Market: feasibility study on the building of a fruit and vegetable grading station and cold storage facility in Malta | Country Report Dec. '15 CIHEAM 

The last farmer at Wied il-Ghasel… | MaltaToday, Jeanette Borg (Founder, MaYA) 

‘We Are Under Siege’: Maltese Farmers Rally After Being Accused Of High Pesticide Use | LovinMalta

Current situation about the sustainable use of PPPs in Malta

Combating plant pests and diseases in Malta is a major challenge for growers. 

Over the past few decades, the variety of pests and diseases has drastically increased due to the importation of live plants, fresh fruits and vegetables. Although the work within the Plant Protection Directorate and MCCAA is to be commended, we need to acknowledge the fact that newly introduced pests and diseases are a harsh reality that Maltese growers are facing. Due to free trade agreements within the EU, and bilateral agreements with non-EU countries, Malta is open to a high influx of fruit and vegetable imports which may impose a risk on our agricultural biodiversity.

Local research about the latest IPM technologies and pesticide efficacy is needed. 

Growers do not have the necessary scientific tools available at hand to guide them on how to combat pests and diseases efficiently. When crops manifest signs of infection, growers need to act fast to avoid losses. A loss in production will result in a loss of revenue and possible profits. Very often, authorised sellers of PPPs are the only ones to recommend which product to use in a particular circumstance. The "trial and error" approach should not be encouraged, however, minimal efforts are being made by relevant stakeholders to offer alternative unbiased solutions. 

Apart from becoming ever-more sensitive towards the environment and their own health, growers strive to avoid the use of PPP’s since they are extremely expensive and their use drastically increases the total cost of production. Having said that, treatment of crops may sometimes be necessary to ensure a sustainable harvest. 

 

 

 

Local growers are expressing concerns about the limited variety of PPPs available to them

Malta has a narrower range of PPPs available on the local market, compared to our neighbouring countries. Local growers have often pointed out that a number of organic pesticides can considerably alleviate infestation of certain pests in Malta. Such organic pesticides, which may also be potentially used by conventional growers, are not available in Malta for a number of reasons. This is once again limiting local growers’ options and forcing them to use synthetic pesticides rather than organic alternatives.

A selection of seasonal fruit and veg at a local farmers market

 

Awareness amongst the general public is necessary to portray the reality 

More awareness is needed to communicate facts amongst locals on how growers ensure the production of safe and nutritious food. Following a series of deceitful, negative articles in the press, law-abiding growers have become victims of a misleading campaign. Public perception has affected sales of locally grown fruits and vegetables and more needs to be done to counteract lies and inaccuracies that have been disseminated.

 

Many local growers are nowadays users of the internet and carry out research about possible IPM strategies to implement on their farms. Young farmers are also more pro in using information from reliable sources on the internet and often make direct contact with experts abroad who may give specific advice and share knowledge.

Registered farmers are not only aware about which PPPs are legal, and how to use them, but the vast majority also attend obligatory courses to obtain licenses as PPP handlers. This should be enforced across the board with anyone else who grows plants (edible and ornamental) and intends to purchase over-the-counter PPPs. 

Recommendations 

- Stricter border controls to keep new pests and diseases away from our shore

- Better enforcement through tougher fines for those who breach legislation

- Outreach amongst the local community about locally grown fruits and vegetables

- More tailor-made training for growers about IPM

***

To download the document in PDF click here.

ACT and MaYA Foundation submit feedback for the re-evaluation of the National Rural Policy

Click to download

ACT's and MaYA's have submitted a document outlining amendments and suggestions to the re-evaluated national rural policy. 

These suggestions were drawn up following a careful analysis of the policy document by the ACT (VO/1491) and the MaYA Foundation (VO/0823), and a public discussion organised by the two organisations that brought together stakeholders, individuals and representatives from other NGOs. 

The agricultural sector needs to be better enabled to grow sustainably. Agriculture is crucial towards our food security, the stewardship of our rural areas, and the rural character. Farmers ought to be able to make an adequate living. Their interests should be better represented by the policy, while at the same time, certain types of permitted development that are unnecessary and damaging to rural areas should be curtailed or removed. 

We acknowledge that the revision has made some important improvements on the preceding policy, however, some changes were perceived to be counterproductive to the progression and preservation of our rural landscapes. The policy does not adequately serve the needs of the modern farmer who, in a highly-competitive market, is under great pressure to update his/her machinery and to innovate his/her production and marketing methods. These necessitate improved land access and adequate storage space that caters for different kinds of machinery and different kinds of produce. In view of this, our suggestions below reflect the need for farmers to encountering fewer hindrances when applying for certain kinds of structures. This includes making it easier for genuine farmers to add value by developing on-farm retail facilities that showcase the processes involved in cultivating and processing fresh and artisanal produce. 

The policy as it does not favor facilities for small-scale farmers, despite existing examples of structures that have a small footprint and are sensitively designed to blend in effectively with the surrounding rural environment. Supporting the needs of small-scale farmers ensures a more resilient, populous, and diverse agricultural community, and more opportunities for resource sharing, capacity exchange, innovation, and the possibility for the creation of distinctive products and diversified streams of income for the agricultural sector. 

In order to avoid abuses, there is a crucial need in the policy for a criterion that identifies and enables genuine farmers. Other organisations have already pointed out that declared turnover (from agricultural related activities) is the best indicator of genuine agricultural engagement, and we support this demand. Apart from agricultural activities, there are activities that target ecology restoration which most of the time do not generate turnover; especially in the beginning. For such projects, it is recommended that the Environment and Resources Authority has a crucial role and possibly a veto in decision making as the competent authority for environmental protection.

It should be recognized that most forms of genuine farming entail spending most of one’s days not just to animals but also to crops. This is true not only for breeders with large herds but also for breeders with fewer animals and also for arable farmers. Thus, we suggest a more lenient policy with regards to farmer dwellings, alongside even tighter restrictions on non-farmer dwellings. Maximum building sizes are generally deemed excessive and smaller maximums are suggested. 

We propose that in Section A, a clause is included that provides a clear statement of how the relevant authorities are understanding the needs of the sector through research and communication with stakeholders. This would ensure that not only are relevant stakeholders accountable to the policy but that the policy and the authority are also accountable to the agricultural sector and other stakeholders. 

Finally, we understand that a policy must ultimately be implemented and its measures upheld both during applications and for existing buildings and projects. Towards this end, we demand the introduction of clauses in section A that specify the monitoring and assistance responsibilities of different entities, stating by whom, how, how often, and with what resources these are achieved. In doing so, a guarantee should be included stating that reports made on site-visits should not merely be communicated to stakeholders orally, but should be sent by email or by post. Guarantees must also be given that sufficient resources are being allocated in order to successfully implement the policy and that their allocation is solidly based on an assessment of the tasks required to do so.

These policy consultation processes are of great importance in devising a representative political direction that tailors for our communities' needs and aspirations. ACT and MaYA will remain pro-active in allowing for a healthy discussion with the main stakeholders and in generating constructive amendments and suggestions. 

Feedback to MECP on the 'Low carbon development strategy for agriculture'

Following the consultation session organised by the Ministry for the Environment, Climate Change and Planning, carried out on Monday 28th July 2020, the MaYA Foundation has gathered feedback and recommendations from its supporters. 

Special thanks to Mr. Karl Scerri (MaYA admin and full time farmer) for compiling the document.

Click here to view and download the feedback document

Meeting about young farmers and EU funding

Ms. Jeanette Borg and Mr. Pierre Axiaq from the MaYA Foundation had the opportunity to discuss various issues raised by young farmers with Hon. Dr. Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi, Parliamentary Secretary responsible for EU Funds.

Mr. Paul Zahra (Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs) and Mr. Sharlo Camilleri (Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Agriculture) were present for this meeting.

We look forward to a fruitful collaboration to maximise the benefits of EU funds in the Maltese Islands.

MaYA Foundation urges the PA to give the Rural Policy "a complete overhaul"

PRESS RELEASE | 16th April 2020

The Malta Youth in Agriculture Foundation is once again expressing concern over the current rural policy which allows for speculative development in Malta’s and Gozo’s sensitive rural areas. One of the latest controversies is the permission granted for the development of a sizeable sheep farm in Bidnija valley.

The Foundation concedes that all the requirements for the acquisition of a full development permit with minor amendments on PA 7946/18 obtained by Mr. Jason Vella, an active full-time young farmer, have been fulfilled in accordance with this vague policy. This has caused an understandable uproar by the local community. Subsequently, the applicant and this building have been mentioned various times in local media, after works ensued in this remote and pristine location. While we will keep encouraging farmers to invest further in their agribusiness, we must make sure that this is done sustainably. 

After further investigations, we understand that the two-level higher than normal floor building is set to be a fully operational sheep farm with ancillary facilities. However, taking into consideration the current local standard output, the magnitude of the farm is in our opinion unjustified, even if a dwelling for the farmer might be warranted. The building is extremely conspicuous and lies within a highly valued area, both in terms of agricultural and visual landscape. Some farmers whom we interviewed have expressed disappointment and pointed out that obtaining permits for new development has become relatively easier than getting the approval for amendments on already existing farms. 

Most of the new buildings being erected in rural areas over the past years have been much debated by the community as the rural environment keeps on shrinking. Whether the scope of the buildings is residential, industrial or agricultural, the MaYA Foundation has been, and will continue to be at the forefront of campaigns to try and curb unsustainable development including urban sprawl. 

The MaYA Foundation is putting forward a few suggestions to ensure sustainable development in rural areas;

• A complete overhaul of the current rural policy which is not primarily aimed at supporting the farming community

• Conversion of the abundant derelict buildings needs to be facilitated

• Authorities need to ensure a more discrete appearance of new buildings complete with proper landscape mitigation measures

• Regular revision of policies and improved consultation processes

• Checking whether the desired scope has been achieved following implementation of the development.

Maltese agriculture set to be on a par with other member states

We, at the MaYA Foundation, are pleased to learn that one of the most salient points of our, and other NGOs', manifesto is set to be implemented - that of reinstating an autonomous ministry dedicated to Agriculture and Fisheries.

A well-deserved congratulations goes to Mr. Clint Camilleri for retaining his previous portfolio, adding more responsibilities, and managing to achieve greater authority. Such a promotion gives agri stakeholders renewed energy towards binging sustainable agriculture to its proper status.

Once again, we wish Mr. Camilleri and the rest of his team, all the very best in their endeavours. We echo our past commitment to assist as best as we can the authorities in order to continue safeguarding the interest of our farmers and breeders, who are in turn the main stewards of our rural areas.

Links:

MaYA manifesto