Follow
up and where necessary provide feedback on Agricultural related EU policy
dossiers relative to the Maltese agricultural context
Formulate
where necessary National Legislation, Action Plans or any documents necessary
for the complimentary policy deriving from EU legislation
Implement
the policies formulated for an environmentally sustainable yet quality based agriculture
On
what subjects or topics is the Agriculture Directorate responsible for and thus
be referred to for any information or possibly submission of applications and
documentations?
2. The Agriculture
Directorate is responsible for the following topics:
Organic production,
marketing and labelling
Olive and olive oil
production
Viticulture and Oenology
Recognition and proper
governance of Producer Organisations and Producer Groups under the Common
Market Organisation Regulation
Implementation of the
Nitrates Action Programme Regulations for the protection of groundwater from
the contamination of Nitrates from agricultural sources.
EU Timber Regulation
Voluntary Certification
Schemes
Forest Law
Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT)
Soil
Transfer Permits
3. What
can I do to lodge a complaint, make a report or simply request more information?
If your report or
complaint is relevant to any one of the topics mentioned in question 2. You can
refer to either the following emails:
Timber
Control: eutr.mesdc@gov.mt
Products
of Quality Scheme: ikeltakwalita.mesdc@gov.mt
All
Other Topics: agri-inspect.mesdc@gov.mt
4. Nitrates
Directive:
4.1 I
am interested in applying for a course which may offered by the Directorate?
Where can I call?
You may call on tel: 22924303
and put forward the required details in order to book a place or e-mail on agri-inspect.mesdc@gov.mt.
4.2 I
need to make a fertiliser plan, what must I do?
You will need to contact
an approved technical advisor who will assist you in formulating a fertiliser
plan of which one plan must be made for each and every parcel. You can access
the topic ‘Nitrates Action Programme’
for more details.
5. Organic
marketing and labelling
5.1 I am interested to
become a certified Organic operator (producer/retailer), what must I do?
You need to submit your
undertaking to the control system by registering as an organic operator with
the Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs (MCCAA); and
Notify your interest to
the Directorate by filling the Organic Scheme - Notification of Activity.
6. Producer
Organisation
6.1 What
is a Producers organisation?
A Producer Organisation is made up of a number of producers that
work democratically within an enterprise setting as directed by their business
plan or operational programme. The producer organisation may benefit from EU
funding under the producer organisation scheme should the producer organisation
follow an approved operational programme.
6.2 What are the aims and benefits of a producer organisation?
The benefits of
growers joining a producer organisation will be able to:
Achieve a better
market position
Reduce their
operating costs
Increase the
overall viability of the members business work in environmentally sustainable
manner
6.3 What must be done to set up a producer organisation?
The group of
producers who shall not be composed of less than 5 must be a recognised legal
entity such as a cooperative or a limited liability company prior to lodging an
application for recognition as a producer organisation.
The application along with the operational programme is vetted and
approved or otherwise by the Agriculture Directorate, being the Competent
Authority. For further information you may need to refer to the topic ‘Producer
Groups and Producer Organisations for more details’
6.4 What are the producer organisation recognition
criteria?
A PO must have:
A legal status such
as a cooperative or limited liability company (ltd.)
An operational
programme that respect pertinent EU and National legislation
At least 5 grower
members
An annual turnover of €100,000 marketable production;
A statute detailing a democratic structure that gives members an equal
say in the producer
organisation’s management and operation (i.e. one vote per member).
7. What is the Quality scheme ?
Quality schemes
ensure that agricultural products reach superior standards than those
established by European and Maltese regulations.
The Directorate currently administers three quality schemes, two
European quality schemes and a national quality scheme.
The two European schemes are the Organic Certification Scheme and the
Quality Wines Schemes (DOK and IGT).
The National Scheme is the ‘Products of Quality’ a scheme created by the
agricultural directorate to distinguish products that reach superior quality.
7.1 What is the Products
of Quality National Scheme ?
The ‘Products of Quality’
National Scheme is a scheme open to all interested actors who form part of an
agricultural value chain. Such chains consist of binding products or production
method specification, which identify the production and farming methods and
those elements that characterize the superior quality of the product. For
further information, you can visit the ikeltakwalita website.
7.2 How do I apply ?
Click here to apply for
the National Scheme ‘Products of Quality’