The Parliamentary Secretary spoke of how support should be given to the agricultural sector and how the procedure should be simplified. “The principal of subsidy must be respected and particular attention must be given to the social, economic and environmental aspects of the agricultural structures,” he said

The National Plan for Rural Development paves the way for sustainable agriculture in the economic and environmental sense, said Dr Agius. The emphasis on subsidies must be reduced, according to the liberalisation principal. This attention must transferred to sustainability and competitiveness.

The new document that suggests the setting up of a fishing fund was also discussed. The fund’s main objective would be to facilitate the reform of the Common Fishing Policy to help small fishing communities diversify their economy and simplify the way support is given to them.

Dr Agius also took part in the discussions on the reform of the sugar and rice subsidies, as well as the agreement on veterinary services between EU and Russia that must be made by September and the cooperation between those who provide funds for agriculture research around the EU.