EU Budget Negotiations, Climate Resilience and New Opportunities for Small-Scale Fisheries
Review period: 10–16 October 2026
The Gozo Confederation for Agriculture and Fisheries (GCAF) presents its weekly policy briefing, highlighting four significant European developments with implications for Gozo’s agricultural and fisheries sectors.
This week’s developments focus on the future EU budget, agricultural resilience, fisheries data collection and innovative approaches to creating value from marine resources.
For Gozo, the central challenge remains clear: European policies must recognise the realities of double insularity, small-scale production and the additional costs faced by island farmers and fishers.
1. EU Budget 2028–2034: Protecting Gozo’s Share of European Funding
Published: 10 October 2026
Source: Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union
The Irish Presidency has presented a revised negotiating proposal for the EU’s 2028–2034 long-term budget, amounting to approximately €1.62 trillion.
The proposal maintains national allocations for cohesion, agriculture and fisheries within the proposed National and Regional Partnership Plans. However, the overall budget is approximately €141 billion below the European Commission’s initial proposal.
Although the retention of agricultural funding represents an important development, integrating agriculture and fisheries into broader national funding frameworks raises questions about how resources will be distributed.
Why this matters for Gozo
Protecting Malta’s overall allocation does not automatically guarantee adequate funding for Gozo’s agricultural and fisheries sectors.
Gozitan producers face additional transport costs, fragmented agricultural holdings, limited economies of scale and structural disadvantages associated with double insularity.
GCAF’s position
GCAF calls for Malta’s future National and Regional Partnership Plan to include:
- Transparent and identifiable funding allocations for Gozo.
- Aid intensities reflecting the additional costs of island production.
- Dedicated support for small farmers, young entrants and small-scale fishers.
- Safeguards ensuring that agricultural and fisheries funding reaches the intended beneficiaries.
Key message: Gozo must have a clearly identifiable place within Malta’s future EU funding framework, rather than relying solely on national-level allocations.
2. Agriculture Commissioner Highlights Water, Risk Management and Innovation
Published: 14 October 2026
Source: European Commission — European Farmers’ Congress
European Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Christophe Hansen has identified water management, agricultural risk management and innovation as important priorities for the coming year.
These priorities are particularly relevant to Gozo, where prolonged dry periods, water scarcity, small agricultural holdings and exposure to rising production costs place additional pressure on farmers.
While technological innovation and insurance mechanisms can strengthen agricultural resilience, such measures must remain accessible to smaller producers.
Why this matters for Gozo
Gozitan farmers often lack the financial capacity and scale needed to invest independently in advanced irrigation systems, climate technologies or comprehensive agricultural insurance.
A coordinated approach could deliver greater benefits than fragmented individual investments.
GCAF’s position
GCAF proposes the development of a dedicated Gozo Agricultural Resilience Programme, bringing together:
- Investment in rainwater harvesting, water storage and efficient irrigation.
- Affordable climate-risk insurance and compensation mechanisms.
- Shared agricultural machinery and technological infrastructure.
- Targeted assistance for small farms facing drought and extreme weather.
Key message: Agricultural resilience measures must be designed around the economic realities of Gozo’s small farms, not exclusively those of larger mainland agricultural enterprises.
3. Improving Data Collection for Small-Scale Fisheries
Published: 13 October 2026
Source: European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA)
The EU-supported EM4SSF initiative is working to improve data collection and analysis within Europe’s small-scale fisheries sector.
Small-scale vessels account for approximately 85% of the EU fishing fleet, yet information gaps can limit their visibility in fisheries management, marine planning and policy development.
The initiative promotes common data protocols developed with the participation of fishers, with particular attention to confidentiality and practical implementation.
Why this matters for Gozo
Small-scale fishing remains an important part of Gozo’s maritime economy and cultural heritage.
However, insufficient evidence about fishing activity, operating costs and local economic contributions can weaken the sector’s representation in national and European policy decisions.
Improved data could support more proportionate regulation and better-targeted assistance.
GCAF’s position
GCAF supports exploring a Malta–Gozo pilot initiative focused on:
- Simple and affordable data-collection technology.
- Direct participation by small-scale fishers.
- Strong confidentiality and data-protection safeguards.
- Using evidence to improve fisheries support and representation.
Participation must be built on trust, with clear assurances regarding how collected information will be used.
Key message: Better fisheries data should empower small-scale operators and strengthen their representation, rather than create disproportionate administrative or regulatory burdens.
4. Creating Economic Value from Low-Value Fishery Resources
Published: 15 October 2026
Source: European Commission — Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG MARE)
The EU-supported Decameal initiative demonstrates how low-value marine resources can be transformed into commercially useful products, including aquaculture feed, pet-food protein and agricultural inputs.
Although the project focuses on shore-crab resources in Denmark, its underlying approach offers lessons for smaller maritime economies seeking to reduce waste and retain greater value locally.
Why this matters for Gozo
Gozo’s fisheries sector faces limitations arising from its small operating scale, restricted processing capacity and dependence on external markets.
Exploring opportunities to transform suitable fishery by-products into marketable resources could contribute to a more circular local economy.
GCAF’s position
GCAF proposes examining the feasibility of shared, small-scale fishery-resource processing facilities in the Mġarr area.
Any initiative should begin with:
- An assessment of locally available fishery by-products and suitable raw materials.
- A review of food-safety, environmental and regulatory requirements.
- Identification of commercially viable products and potential markets.
- Evaluation of cooperative processing and funding opportunities.
Investment decisions should follow a thorough feasibility assessment rather than precede it.
Key message: Innovation in fisheries should prioritise commercially realistic, environmentally responsible solutions that generate additional value for local operators.
Overall Policy Outlook: Gozo Must Be Visible in Europe’s Next Funding Framework
This week’s developments highlight an important shift in European policy towards integrated funding, climate resilience, improved data and technological innovation.
These changes present opportunities for Gozo, but also risks if national implementation fails to account for the island’s particular circumstances.
GCAF identifies four priorities requiring continued attention:
- Dedicated EU funding for Gozo: Clear allocations and safeguards within Malta’s 2028–2034 National and Regional Partnership Plan.
- Agricultural resilience: Practical investment in water security, climate adaptation and affordable risk-management tools.
- Support for young and small producers: Proportionate assistance that encourages generational renewal and protects small-scale production.
- Sustainable small-scale fisheries: Stronger evidence, appropriate innovation and improved opportunities for local value creation.
GCAF will continue advocating for policies that recognise Gozo’s double insularity, protect the viability of traditional agricultural and fisheries activities, and create meaningful opportunities for future generations.
One Island. One Voice for Agriculture and Fisheries.
Gozo Confederation for Agriculture and Fisheries (GCAF)
www.gcaf.eu
Weekly Policy Briefing | 16 October 2026