As a result of the package negotiated by the government, Malta will receive Lm77 million in financial aid from the EU and the government between now and 2014.

The aid schemes cover cereals, tomatoes, potatoes, olives, other fruit and vegetables, restoration of rubble walls, vines, indigenous Maltese plants and animals, organic farming and aid for full-time farmers.

Applicants can register for more than one scheme on each application form.

Farmers’ fields must be registered with the IACS. Applications will be processed on 17 May and farmers should take their identity cards, IACS land registration certificate and VAT registration certificate with them.

Rural Affairs Minister George Pullicino said Malta was the first applicant country to begin processing applications, which showed that the government was prepared for EU accession.