Infrastructure matters but farmers matter more: CAP funds review

MaYA’s President, Jeanette Borg, was recently cited in the investigative piece by Amphora Media “Farmers wait, government agencies and big operators win: Malta’s EU CAP funding misses its target”, which examines how EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) funds are being channelled in Malta. The article presents key data on the €166 million budget allocation for 2023–2027, highlighting what appears to be an uneven and inequitable distribution among stakeholders. The investigation points to a significant share of the funding being absorbed by government entities, infrastructure projects and large operators that have already secured substantial support. While these allocations fall within the legal parameters of the CAP framework, the article raises concerns about whether the current structure and delivery mechanisms are sufficiently geared towards ensuring that funds effectively reach the farmers who need investment most.

Maltese farmers selling their produce. Photo credit: Joanna Demarco

Jeanette stresses that individual farmers - those who produce our food - continue to face serious structural barriers, including limited access to affordable land (the article mentions arable land in Malta averaging over €201,000 per hectare, but this is a significant underestimate of current market realities, particularly in areas subject to development pressure or speculative demand), heavy bureaucracy, water insecurity and difficulties in accessing markets. At the same time, there appears to be disproportionate investment in larger-scale infrastructure and corporate interests.

Infrastructure matters. Farmers matter more. In a small island state, the real question is not only how much CAP funding is absorbed, but who can realistically access it. So what should CAP look like for Malta? We believe it should prioritise fairness and accessibility. Small-scale and genuine producers must not be pushed aside by administrative burden, especially when funding applications are complex and resource-intensive. CAP should also help reduce the pressure created by import competition on local producers.

If CAP is to protect Malta’s food security and rural future, it must first and foremost work for those who are actively cultivating the land.

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