EU ready to accept 'different methods' for Malta

The EU was prepared to accept different implementation methods for Malta's agriculture sector, according to European Agriculture Commissioner Franz Fischler.

Speaking to reporters in Brussels, Mr Fischler said Malta's preparations in the agriculture and fisheries sector was proceeding well and this sector would be geared up for membership in May.

Mr Fischler, who visited Malta in October, said the Commission was in close contact with the ministry responsible for rural affairs to ensure a smooth transition.

Some issues, such as the question of stocks, implementation issues like the rural development programme and other matters relating to trade were still being discussed, he said.

But the Commission, he underlined, was accepting "different methods" of implementing any regulations that were difficult to be fulfilled because of the island's very specific structure and situation.

"One such example is the minimum size of a farm. And we are prepared to look at this as an exceptional case. Ultimately I do not see any major shortcomings," Mr Fischler said.

Malta's negotiating position was based on the need to secure an acceptable level of income for farmers and, at the same time, to continue promoting agriculture's multi-functional role.

Malta had also negotiated a five-year safeguard clause, basically a mechanism that triggers protective measures in exceptional cases of serious difficulties.

In Malta's case, the main outcome of negotiations was that income support for farmers would replace levies.

A temporary income support scheme to help full-time farmers adapt to changes in the market environment was made eligible for inclusion in the guarantee-funded rural development programme.

The European Commission had allocated €26.9 million to Malta for rural development purposes for the period 2004-2006.