The application period for state aid on cereals, semi-processed tomatoes, meat products and dairy products is open until 26 January.

The applications have to be submitted between 8.30am and 12noon to the Temporary State Aid Unit, Department of Policy Development, Rural Affairs and the Environment Ministry, Civil Abattoir, Albertown, Marsa.

Applications will cover the period January-June 2007. When applying, importers who are eligible to be registered as either traditional importers or non-traditional importers are required to provide details of their purchase plans for the first six months of 2007, that is, 1 January to 30 June 2007.

Prospective importers are required to provide a bank guarantee to the Ministry for Rural Affairs and the Environment. Such guarantee will be released within four weeks of the physical delivery and customs clearance of the goods in Malta.

The products covered by these applications are:

Semi-processed tomatoes products

• Prepared tomatoes in dry matter >30% in packs >50 kgs

CN Code 20029091

Meat products

• Hindquarters frozen

CN Codes 02022050, 02023090

• Boneless forequarters frozen

CN Codes 02023010, 02023050

Dairy products

• Natural and other butter fat content <_ 85% immediate pack

CN Codes 04051011, 04051019

Cereals

• Maize (corn, excluding barley seeds)

CN Codes 10059000, 11031310, 11031390

• Barley (excluding barley seeds)

CN Codes 10030090

Interested applicants are requested to note that importers who have applied for temporary state aid during the year 2007 are required to present information regarding imports during 2007. This, however, applies if such information was not presented to the State Aid Unit. The guidelines and application form can be obtained from the website http://www.mrae.gov.mt/downloads.asp.