Organic farming strategy to be drawn up

A committee is to be set up to draft a strategy for organic agriculture, Rural Affairs and Environment Minister George Pullicino said yesterday.

The ministry is also planning to set up an authority on organic farming in line with European Union regulations, he said.

Mr Pullicino was speaking at Ghammieri, in Marsa, where he launched various EU assistance schemes for farmers.

Applications for assistance are being invited by the Agriculture Department from farmers who may call at Ghammieri, the Extension Service, in Mosta, and the Agriculture Office, in Victoria.

Applications which started being received on March 25 will continue to be accepted until May 17.

According to EU rules, farmers have an additional 25 days for late registration but the assistance would be deducted by one per cent for each day after May 17.

Farmers are calling by appointment at Ghammieri to register their agricultural land and produce, under a computerised system put in place by MITTS. Farmers have to register their land in order to be eligible for assistance.

Mr Pullicino said that during negotiations with the EU, the government had obtained a financial assistance package of €184 million (Lm77 million) until the year 2014. The aid will come into effect following accession. Part of this package consists of direct assistance for schemes relating to agriculture.

Malta, Mr Pullicino said, was the first of the 10 acceding countries to launch the schemes.

Apart from other assistance, Maltese farmers would be receiving assistance because of the "disadvantaged" position of Maltese agriculture as a result of the agricultural terrain and water availability.

Further information is available vial Freephone 8007 2310 or the Agriculture Office in Gozo on 2156 5809.