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Malta

1) REFERENCES

Commission Opinion COM(1999) 69 final - Not published in the Official Journal] Commission report [COM(1999) 508 final - Not published in the Official Journal] Commission report [COM(2000) 708 final - Not published in the Official Journal] Commission report [COM(2001) 700 final - SEC (2001) 1751 - Not published in the Official Journal] Commission report [COM(2002) 700 final - SEC(2002) 1407 - Not published in the Official Journal] Commission report [COM(2003) 675 final - SEC(2003) 1206 - Not published in the Official Journal] Treaty of Accession to the European Union [Official Journal L 236 of 23.09.2003]

2) SUMMARY

The integration of Maltese agricultural policy into the common agricultural policy will mean pursuing the efforts already undertaken. Adopting the common agricultural policy could improve the situation in certain sectors, particularly those involved in exporting processed food products, and could enhance the efficiency of the Maltese agricultural economy. Application of the common fisheries policy should not, on the other hand, cause any major problems.

The October 1999 Report highlights the fact that Maltese legislation is not compatible with the Community acquis. It requires harmonising with the acquis as regards tax deductions. There is no progress to report in the fisheries sector.

The November 2000 Report shows that since the previous report Malta has not taken any significant steps to align its agricultural policy on the acquis. There has been little change as regards fisheries.

The November 2001 Report notes that Malta has put a strategy in place aimed at implementing the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). Little progress has been made since the last report.

In relation to fisheries, the process of legislative alignment has advanced considerably, thanks to the adoption in 2001 of the law on the conservation and management of fishery products. However, in relation to administrative capacity no real improvement has been noted. On the other hand, preparations for a fisheries multiannual guidance programme relating to structural measures have begun. Malta has also made progress in its preparations for establishing a vessel monitoring system (VMS).

The November 2002 report highlights the progress achieved by Malta on agricultural legislation. On the other hand, there was no progress to report on increasing administrative capacity. With regard to fisheries, efforts had been made on resource management, structural measures and market policy.

The November 2003 report shows that Malta still has much work to do. Measures must be taken urgently to ensure that Malta is ready in time. On the other hand, Malta has met most of its commitments as regards fisheries.

The Treaty of Accession was signed on 16 April 2003 and accession took place on 1 May 2004.

COMMUNITY ACQUIS

The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) aims to maintain and develop a modern agricultural system ensuring a fair standard of living for the agricultural community and a supply of food at reasonable prices for consumers, as well as free movement of goods within the European Community.

The Common Fisheries Policy covers the common organisation of markets, structural policy, agreements with third countries, the management and conservation of fishery resources and scientific research thereon.

EVALUATION

Agriculture

Malta has met its commitments on quality policy, some common organisations of the markets and certain veterinary provisions. It has only partly met its commitments on organic farming, the farm accountancy data network (FADN) and the common organisations of the markets in wine, fruit and vegetables, olive oil and beef and veal. The situation as regards rural development, veterinary control systems in the internal market, animal feed, public health and plant health is still not satisfactory.

The position as regards preparatory work for the paying agency, the integrated administration and control system (IACS), trade mechanisms, animal by-products and transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) is much more worrying since Malta is well behind schedule. Corrective measures need to be taken urgently. Overall, Malta has met its commitments in other sectors.

Fisheries

Generally speaking, Malta has met its commitments as regards resource and fleet management, inspections, controls, market policy, state aid and international agreements. In order to apply structural policy, Malta needs to get the paying agency up and running.

Last updated: 27.02.2004

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