The Parliamentary Secretary for Public Dialogue and Information, the Hon. Chris Said addressed the second international conference on Common Agricultural Policy organised by the Gozitano Agri Co-op in Gozo.  The focal point of this conference was “CAP and sustainability for the future of European Agriculture”.

Dr Said said that rural development covers all the aspects of integrated and sustainable development.  It does not only include agricultural and environmental activities, but also the diversification of these activities, the development of non-agricultural activities in the rural areas and the services to the residents.

The Parliamentary Secretary Chris  Said spoke about the relationship between the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and rural development, and the role of sustainable development in agriculture and the rural World. 

The Parliamentary Secretary for Public Dialogue and Information stressed that agricultural sustainable development forms part of an overall strategy defined in the various programmes of the European Union.

He  mentioned the various initiatives taken by the Government to achieve integration of the environment, including the agricultural and rural development policy.  He also highlighted the allocation of €13 million to improve farms and agricultural holdings and said that this action will not only benefit farmers directly but will also have a positive impact on society.

Government will address the environmental challenges through a number of measures that were announced in the budget speech and through which the public and the private sector will be incentivised to make every effort to conserve energy and invest in alternative energy. 

Government has allocated €500,000 for a scheme that allows a 50% refund on photovoltaic cells systems installation and €300,000 to help those who install roof insulation systems and double glazing.  €200,000 have been allocated to conduct an educational campaign regarding efficient energy use.

Dr Said described sustainable development as a national project that will come to fruition through the participation of all interested parties including the civil society.