€3.5 million of national funds were allocated to help cover the cost of damages caused to farmers by an intense storm last February, Agriculture Parliamentary Secretary Clint Camilleri said today.
The Maltese Islands had experienced widespread damage when winds of up to 133km/h hit the island, with farmers suffering great damage to their produce.
"We gave our commitment and promise that we will do our best and all possible to help the farmer,” said Camilleri. He explained that Malta had not suffered the necessary €60 million worth of damage to be eligible for the EU assistance.
He said that the Financial Ministry allocated €3.5 million to assist farms, which will cover the cost of damage to rubble walls stone storerooms, tunnels and general damage to farms. He added that the financial assistance will cover up for 45 per cent of the cost of damage.
Applications for the funds remain open till end of September and farmers and small businesses involved in agricultural production who are in the Directorate of Agriculture’s Registry of Farmers are eligible for compensation.
When asked regarding a similar initiative to cover the costs of damages suffered by fishermen, he said that discussions are being held and an initiative will be launched in the coming weeks.