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:

1. Dedicated EU funding for Gozo: Clear allocations and safeguards within Malta’s 2028–2034 National and Regional Partnership Plan.
2. Agricultural resilience: Practical investment in water security, climate adaptation and affordable risk-management tools.
3. Support for young and small producers: Proportionate assistance that encourages generational renewal and protects small-scale production.
4. 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

Review period: 3–9 October 2026

This week’s GCAF Policy Briefing highlights four important developments affecting the future of agriculture and fisheries in Gozo. From negotiations over the next EU budget to regional employment trends, renewable energy opportunities and fisheries regulation, a common message emerges: Gozo needs not only adequate funding, but policies designed around the realities of small producers and island communities.

1. Seventeen EU Leaders Call for Stronger Protection of Agriculture and Cohesion Funding

On 2 October, leaders from 17 EU Member States, including Malta, signed a joint letter calling for agriculture and cohesion policy to remain central priorities in the EU’s 2028–2034 budget.

The letter raises concerns about proposed reductions in funding when inflation is taken into account. It argues that emerging European priorities should receive additional resources rather than come at the expense of agricultural support and regional development.

Why this matters for Gozo

The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and cohesion funding are particularly important for regions facing structural disadvantages, including islands with small agricultural holdings, limited economies of scale and higher operating costs.

GCAF welcomes Malta’s participation in this initiative. However, protecting the overall European budget must be accompanied by fair allocation at national level.

The Confederation believes that Malta’s future programming should include:

• Transparent and identifiable funding for agriculture.
• Specific recognition of Gozo’s double-insularity and associated costs.
• Dedicated support for young farmers and small agricultural producers.
• Accessible funding arrangements that reflect the scale of Gozitan holdings.

GCAF Policy Position: Protecting EU funding is essential, but Gozo must also receive a fair and proportionate share through clearly defined national measures.

Source: Government of Slovenia – Joint Letter, 3 October 2026

2. New Employment Figures Highlight Gozo’s Need for Locally Based Economic Opportunities

New figures published by Malta’s National Statistics Office on 5 October provide further evidence of Gozo’s distinctive employment challenges.

In 2025, Gozo and Comino recorded:

• 20,754 residents in full-time employment.
• 15,339 full-time jobs located within the region.
• 5,511 Gozitan residents working in Malta across full-time and primary part-time employment.
• 32.0% of regional jobs classified as part-time, compared with 21.4% in Malta.

These figures highlight the continuing importance of commuting and part-time employment in Gozo’s economy.

Why this matters for agriculture and fisheries

Agriculture, fisheries and food processing are economic activities rooted in the island itself. Unlike many other sectors, their productive activities cannot simply be relocated elsewhere without consequences for local livelihoods, land management and food production.

Investment in these sectors can therefore contribute to stronger, more resilient local employment.

GCAF believes greater attention should be directed towards value-added food processing, producer cooperation, fisheries infrastructure and rural enterprises capable of creating sustainable, year-round opportunities.

The Confederation also considers it important to obtain more detailed regional employment statistics specifically covering agriculture, livestock, fisheries and associated processing activities.

GCAF Policy Position: Agriculture and fisheries should be recognised not only as productive sectors but also as strategic contributors to Gozo’s regional employment and economic resilience.

Source: NSO – Regional Labour Supply by Place of Residence and Work, 2025

3. Renewable Energy: A Collective Opportunity for Gozo’s Farmers

On 8 October, the EU CAP Network published a factsheet examining innovative on-farm energy production systems.

The publication identifies solar photovoltaic systems, biogas and wind energy as established technologies with potential for wider agricultural use. It also highlights emerging opportunities involving battery storage, hybrid systems and improved energy management.

Importantly, the report recognises the potential of farmer-led cooperatives and energy communities to reduce individual investment costs and share benefits.

Why this matters for Gozo

Energy represents an important operating cost for agricultural businesses, particularly livestock farms and enterprises requiring refrigeration, irrigation, ventilation or processing equipment.

However, small holdings may struggle to justify substantial individual investments in renewable energy infrastructure.

A cooperative approach could offer a more practical solution.

GCAF sees merit in exploring a dedicated Gozo agricultural energy initiative incorporating shared solar generation, battery storage, cooperative energy arrangements, demonstration farms and independent technical advice.

The potential use of biogas should also be examined in connection with Gozo’s livestock manure management challenges. Any such initiative would require careful assessment of feedstock availability, digestate management, environmental requirements and financial viability.

GCAF Policy Position: Future CAP measures should support collective agricultural energy projects, including feasibility studies, cooperation arrangements and advisory services, rather than concentrating exclusively on individual equipment purchases.

Source: EU CAP Network – Innovative On-Farm Energy Production Systems

4. European Commission Seeks Fisheries Sector Feedback on Administrative Burdens

Consultation deadline: 31 October 2026

The European Commission has launched a survey seeking input from fisheries and aquaculture professionals on opportunities to simplify EU rules and reduce unnecessary administrative burdens.

The consultation covers issues including licences, logbooks, inspections, traceability, environmental reporting, food safety and repeated information requests.

It also examines the costs associated with regulatory compliance and the need for external professional assistance.

Why this matters for Gozo’s fishing community

Small-scale fishing operators frequently face administrative obligations similar to those imposed on much larger businesses, despite having substantially fewer resources.

For Gozo’s fishing fleet, additional challenges may arise from travel requirements, limited access to specialised services and the time needed to complete administrative procedures.

GCAF encourages fishers and other eligible operators to participate in the consultation and provide practical examples of difficulties encountered.

Particularly useful evidence would include time spent on reporting obligations, duplicated documentation, travel-related costs and difficulties accessing digital systems.

GCAF Policy Position: Fisheries regulation must remain effective while applying the principle of proportionality. Administrative obligations should reflect the size, capacity and operating realities of small-scale fishing businesses.

Source: European Commission – Fisheries and Aquaculture Simplification Survey

GCAF’s Overall Policy Assessment

The developments highlighted this week reinforce three priorities for Gozo’s agricultural and fisheries sectors.

First, European funding must be protected. Agriculture and cohesion policy remain essential instruments for sustaining rural communities, food production and regional development.

Second, Gozo’s specific circumstances must be reflected in national policy. Double insularity, small-scale production, employment challenges and higher operating costs require targeted responses rather than uniform measures.

Third, support must be accessible and practical. Simplified administrative requirements, cooperative investment models and appropriate technical assistance are necessary to ensure that smaller operators can genuinely benefit from available opportunities.

Immediate Priorities

GCAF will continue to advocate for Gozo-specific safeguards within future EU and national funding arrangements, stronger investment in locally anchored primary-sector employment, and cooperative solutions to agricultural energy challenges.

The immediate priority is to encourage participation in the European Commission’s fisheries simplification survey before 31 October 2026, ensuring that the experiences of Gozo’s small-scale operators contribute to the European policy discussion.

The Gozo Confederation for Agriculture and Fisheries (GCAF) works to represent and advance the interests of Gozo’s agricultural and fishing communities through policy engagement, cooperation and evidence-based advocacy.

One Island. One Voice for Agriculture and Fisheries.

In a joint letter dated 2 October 2026, the leaders of 17 Member States called for the overall funding available for the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and Cohesion Policy to be preserved in the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF).

The initiative brings together Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Spain.

The countries recognise that the EU must finance emerging priorities including security and defence, competitiveness, connectivity, energy security and resilience. However, they argue that these priorities should not be financed at the expense of established policies supporting agriculture, rural communities and regional development.

Why this matters for Gozo

For Gozo, the debate over the next EU budget is particularly important.

Agriculture on small islands operates under structural disadvantages that are not adequately captured by farm size or conventional measures of competitiveness alone. Gozitan farmers face a small domestic market, fragmented agricultural holdings, higher transport and input costs, water constraints, increasing climate pressures and difficulties attracting a new generation into farming.

These realities make a sufficiently funded CAP — together with the flexibility to adapt support to national and territorial circumstances — particularly important for the future viability of agriculture in Gozo.

Cohesion funding is equally significant. EU regional investment can help address the permanent disadvantages associated with insularity through infrastructure, connectivity, environmental investment, economic diversification and services that strengthen rural and island communities.

The debate is therefore not simply about maintaining historic EU spending programmes. It concerns whether the next European budget will continue to recognise that territorial cohesion, viable food production and resilient rural communities are strategic European priorities.

Small and island regions must remain visible

The Gozo Confederation for Agriculture and Fisheries (GCAF) welcomes the recognition that Europe’s new priorities should not result in agriculture and regional development being pushed aside.

This principle is particularly relevant to small and island territories such as Gozo.

A future CAP must recognise that a small farm operating on an island cannot always compete under the same conditions as a much larger holding on mainland Europe. Support mechanisms should therefore retain sufficient flexibility to reflect insularity, small-scale production, fragmented landholdings and higher structural costs.

The same principle should apply to Cohesion Policy. A genuinely place-based European policy must recognise that islands face permanent geographical constraints which cannot simply be eliminated through market forces.

The earlier Friends of Cohesion declaration also highlighted the importance of the Common Fisheries Policy alongside agriculture and cohesion. For Gozo, this dimension should remain part of the discussion as the future EU budget is finalised, given the importance of maintaining viable small-scale fisheries and coastal communities.

A critical stage in the negotiations

The negotiations are now entering an important phase ahead of the 2028–2034 funding period.

The 17 countries argue that Europe should provide additional resources for its emerging strategic priorities rather than finance them through further reductions to agriculture and cohesion. They have also indicated willingness to discuss new EU revenue sources and other financing options.

For GCAF, the principle should be clear: strengthening Europe’s security, competitiveness and resilience should go hand in hand with strengthening its capacity to produce food and sustaining the rural, coastal and island communities that contribute to that resilience.

As negotiations continue, GCAF will continue following the development of the post-2027 CAP and the wider EU budget to ensure that the particular realities of Gozo’s farmers, livestock producers and fishers remain represented in the European policy debate.

Five developments are particularly relevant to GCAF’s work, ranging from Malta’s latest agricultural accounts to major EU decisions on the future CAP and fisheries funding.

Malta agriculture: higher support, but margins remain under pressure

Malta’s Economic Accounts for Agriculture 2025, published by the National Statistics Office, show agricultural output falling marginally by 0.1% to €141.8 million, while intermediate consumption increased by 0.9% to €87.9 million.

Gross value added consequently declined by 1.7% to €53.9 million. Although support increased by 4.7% to €28.7 million, net entrepreneurial income still fell by 0.7%. Livestock-meat output declined by 1.8%, energy and fuel expenditure increased by 1.0%, and wages rose by 10.6%.

For GCAF, the figures reinforce an important point: increasing the headline level of agricultural support does not necessarily improve farm viability when production costs and other pressures continue to rise.

Budget 2027 measures should therefore place greater emphasis on reducing structural costs through water and energy investment, livestock resilience, productivity improvements and measures that strengthen producer margins.

The figures are national, however, and do not provide a clear picture of Gozo. GCAF believes there is a strong case for developing regular Malta/Gozo agricultural economic accounts or a specific Gozo agricultural viability annex.

Post-2027 CAP negotiations enter an important phase

EU agriculture ministers have moved negotiations on the post-2027 Common Agricultural Policy towards a partial Council position expected later in October.

Issues under discussion include simplification, payment capping and degressivity, and crucially the future definitions of a “farmer” and an “active farmer”. Ministers also discussed high input costs, drought, water management and targeted resilience measures.

These discussions are particularly important for Gozo.

Future definitions and eligibility rules must recognise the reality of genuine agricultural activity on small, fragmented and sometimes part-time holdings. Rules designed around larger continental farm structures could unintentionally disadvantage legitimate Gozitan producers.

GCAF therefore believes Malta should seek an explicit small-farm and island test when assessing future CAP rules, together with sufficient flexibility to address drought, water scarcity and other island-specific constraints.

Future EU fisheries funding creates an opportunity for Gozo

The Council has also agreed its negotiating position on future EU support for fisheries, aquaculture and maritime activities for 2028–2034.

The emerging framework provides scope for vessel modernisation, energy transition, improved working conditions, generational renewal and specific treatment for small-scale coastal fishing. The resilience of coastal communities and small-scale fleets is explicitly recognised.

This provides a strong policy basis for Malta to develop a dedicated Gozo small-scale fisheries package within its future programme.

Such a package could include support for young fishers and succession, vessel acquisition and modernisation, safety and low-emission equipment, improved infrastructure at Mġarr and simpler access to funding for small operators.

Greater flexibility at national level means that the way Malta designs its programme will become even more important.

Climate-resilient crops need markets, not just trials

A new EU CAP Network report examines alternative crops and new market opportunities under changing climatic conditions.

Experience from 20 Member States suggests that crop diversification can strengthen climate resilience and support lower-input food production. But introducing new crops successfully requires more than experimental planting: farmers also need technical advice, processing possibilities and reliable markets.

For Gozo, GCAF sees potential for a small-island crop demonstration programme testing drought- and heat-tolerant crops as well as suitable local genetic resources.

Successful trials could then be linked with local processing, Gozo branding, tourism, restaurants and public procurement.

The objective should not simply be to encourage farmers to grow something different. It should be to create a viable farm-to-market pathway that reduces rather than transfers risk.

EU consultation on training standards for fishers

The European Commission has opened a call for evidence on possible common European safety, training and certification standards for fishers.

The initiative seeks to address differences between national systems, difficulties recognising qualifications, labour shortages and the challenge of attracting younger people into fishing.

Evidence can be submitted until 29 October 2026.

GCAF supports efforts to improve safety and make qualifications more portable across Europe, but new requirements must remain proportionate for small-scale operators.

Training should be affordable and subsidised where necessary, available in Malta and Gozo, and structured in modular and practical formats. Recognition of professional experience should also form part of the system so that new certification requirements do not become another barrier to small-scale fishing.

GCAF perspective

Taken together, this week’s developments reinforce a consistent message.

Gozo needs agricultural and fisheries policies designed around viability, scale and island realities—not simply national or EU averages.

Whether the issue is CAP eligibility, fisheries investment, climate adaptation or professional training, small operators must be able to access support without being disadvantaged by systems designed primarily around larger farms, fleets or markets.

The coming weeks provide important opportunities for Malta and Gozo to influence these discussions, particularly ahead of further decisions on the post-2027 CAP and the development of the next generation of EU fisheries support.

Sources: National Statistics Office Malta; Council of the European Union; EU CAP Network; European Commission – Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries.

Victoria’s bid is built around the theme “An Island of Islands”—an exploration of the people, places and communities that give island life its character. Gozo’s farms, fishing communities and food traditions belong in that story. (culture.ec.europa.eu)

Agriculture and fisheries are part of Gozo’s living culture. They shape its landscape, villages, harbours, food and knowledge passed between generations. That heritage is still being made every day by people working the land and going to sea.

GCAF believes the years leading to 2031 should give farmers and fishers a meaningful role in developing the programme. Possible collaborations could include projects led by producers and artists, stories of farming and fishing across generations, local food events, and activities that help young people understand these livelihoods. These are proposals for discussion, rather than announced parts of the Victoria 2031 programme.

The title also creates a chance to ask a forward-looking question: what will it take for farming and fishing to remain part of Gozo’s future? Celebrating these sectors should go hand in hand with listening to the people in them—particularly on the challenges of sustaining a livelihood and encouraging a new generation to enter.

GCAF congratulates the Victoria 2031 team and looks forward to opportunities for Gozo’s agricultural and fishing communities to contribute. If the programme reaches across the island and gives its working communities a voice, 2031 can leave a legacy that lasts well beyond its year of events.

Read the European Commission’s announcement.

The European Council of Young Farmers (CEJA) has published a new position paper, “From Stagnation to Adaptation: Young Farmers’ Call to Accelerate Climate Resilience,” calling for stronger and faster action to help European farmers adapt to climate change.

The paper addresses several challenges that are particularly relevant to agriculture in Gozo, including water scarcity, extreme heat, investment costs, farm infrastructure and the future viability of young and small farmers.

Building water resilience

Water availability is becoming an increasingly important challenge for Mediterranean agriculture. Longer dry periods, higher temperatures and irregular rainfall place additional pressure on agricultural production.

CEJA highlights the need for investment in solutions including water reservoirs, rainwater collection, drip and precision irrigation, reuse of wells and reservoirs, and desalination where appropriate.

For Gozo, strengthening water resilience is essential not only from an environmental perspective but also for protecting local agricultural production and food security.

Helping farms adapt to extreme heat

Climate adaptation is equally important for the livestock sector.

Increasing temperatures can affect animal welfare, productivity and farm operating costs. CEJA therefore highlights measures such as improved livestock housing, ventilation and cooling systems.

Supporting farmers in making these investments will become increasingly important as Gozo experiences hotter and more challenging climatic conditions.

The challenge for small and fragmented farms

CEJA also draws attention to the difficulties of farming isolated plots and areas where adequate infrastructure may be lacking.

This has clear relevance to Gozo, where agricultural land is often divided into small and fragmented holdings. Investments in irrigation, infrastructure, machinery and climate adaptation can consequently represent a disproportionately high cost for smaller producers.

Without appropriate support, these pressures can undermine farm viability and contribute to agricultural land being abandoned.

Climate resilience and the next generation

The transition towards more climate-resilient agriculture must also be considered alongside the challenge of generational renewal.

Young farmers cannot reasonably be expected to enter or expand agricultural businesses while simultaneously carrying the full cost of adapting those businesses to increasingly difficult climatic conditions.

CEJA therefore calls for stronger investment support, improved access to finance, risk-management instruments and advisory services, together with appropriate support through the future Common Agricultural Policy.

Gozo’s realities must be recognised

For the Gozo Confederation for Agriculture and Fisheries (GCAF), the discussion reinforces the importance of ensuring that European and national agricultural policies recognise the particular circumstances of small islands.

Gozo combines limited land and water resources with fragmented agricultural holdings, restricted economies of scale and increasing exposure to heat, drought and unpredictable weather.

Climate policy must therefore translate into practical investment on the ground.

Greater support for water infrastructure, efficient irrigation, climate-resilient farm infrastructure, livestock adaptation and young farmers will be essential if Gozo is to maintain a viable agricultural sector in the decades ahead.

Climate resilience is ultimately not only about adapting to changing weather. It is about ensuring that farming remains economically viable and attractive to the next generation.

GCAF will continue to follow developments at European level and advocate for policies that recognise the specific realities facing Gozo’s agricultural community.

Read the CEJA position paper:
From Stagnation to Adaptation: Young Farmers’ Call to Accelerate Climate Resilience.

The Gozo Confederation for Agriculture and Fisheries (GCAF) continues to monitor developments at Maltese and European level that may affect farmers, livestock breeders, fishers and rural communities in Gozo.

This week, attention turns to investment opportunities for the fishing sector, the future direction of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), and the European Union’s growing emphasis on innovation and resilience across agriculture and food systems.

Fisheries: Investment Calls Approaching 30 September Deadline

Two important funding opportunities under the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) remain open in Malta until 30 September 2026.

The first supports investments on board fishing vessels, including equipment and technologies intended to improve energy efficiency, working conditions, catch quality and environmental sustainability.

For qualifying small-scale coastal fishing vessels of less than 12 metres which do not use towed gear, public aid may reach 80% of eligible costs. Larger eligible vessels may benefit from a 50% aid intensity.

A separate call supports the replacement or modernisation of fishing vessel engines, with the objective of improving energy efficiency and reducing emissions.

For Gozo’s fishing community, access to investment support of this kind is particularly important given the operating costs and structural constraints faced by small-scale and family-based fishing enterprises.

GCAF encourages potentially eligible fishers to examine the requirements without delay ahead of the 30 September deadline.

Small-Scale Fisheries Must Remain at the Centre of EU Policy

The importance of small-scale fisheries remains particularly relevant for islands such as Gozo.

According to the European Commission, small-scale fisheries accounted for around 49% of employment in EU fisheries in 2021, with the Mediterranean representing one of the areas where the sector is most significant.

Small-scale fishing is not simply an economic activity. For island and coastal communities it contributes to employment, local food supply, traditional knowledge and the continued vitality of coastal communities.

GCAF therefore believes that future Maltese and European fisheries policies should continue to recognise the different operating realities of small-scale and island fishers.

CAP Post-2027: Opportunities for Small and Young Farmers

Discussions on the Common Agricultural Policy after 2027 remain particularly significant for Gozo.

The European Commission’s proposal provides for at least €300 billion in ring-fenced EU funding for agricultural income and crisis support. It also proposes more targeted assistance for young farmers, small farms and family farms.

Among the proposed measures are simplified lump-sum support for smaller farms, potentially reaching €3,000 per year, and a dedicated “starter pack” for young farmers.

These proposals are particularly relevant to Malta, where approximately 90% of farms are smaller than two hectares.

For Gozo, however, the debate must go further than farm size alone. Insularity, fragmented agricultural land, transport costs, limited resources, access to water, small markets and difficulties achieving economies of scale all influence the viability of agricultural activity.

GCAF will continue advocating for these realities to be properly reflected in the design and implementation of the next CAP.

EU Places Greater Emphasis on Agri-Food Innovation

The European Commission has also launched a new strategic approach for research and innovation across agriculture, forestry, rural areas and food systems.

The approach brings together AgRI 2040 and Food 2040, with greater emphasis on moving innovation beyond research and into practical deployment.

For Gozo, innovation does not necessarily mean large or complex technological projects.

Better water management, precision agriculture adapted to small holdings, renewable energy, digital tools, improved livestock management, smarter use of agricultural waste and technologies that reduce production costs could all contribute to making local farms more resilient.

The challenge will be ensuring that small producers and island communities can access these developments rather than being left behind by them.

GCAF Perspective

A common theme continues to emerge across European agricultural and fisheries policy: resilience must be built around the realities of the people actually producing our food.

For Gozo this means policies that recognise small holdings, island constraints, ageing farming communities, the need for generational renewal, climate and water pressures, and the particular importance of small-scale fisheries.

Funding opportunities are important, but they must be accessible, proportionate and designed around the circumstances of small operators.

GCAF will continue monitoring national and European developments and advocating for policies that enable agriculture and fisheries in Gozo not simply to survive, but to remain economically viable for the next generation.

Gozo Confederation for Agriculture and Fisheries
One Island. One Voice for Agriculture and Fisheries.

Recent developments in the European Parliament, including work led by Maltese MEP Thomas Bajada on the implementation of international fisheries management measures, have renewed the discussion on how European fisheries legislation can protect marine resources without placing unnecessary or disproportionate burdens on fishers.

For Gozo, this discussion is particularly important.

Gozo’s reality must be recognised

Fishing in Gozo is characterised largely by small-scale and family-based operations. These fishers operate from an island environment with limited economies of scale, higher operating costs and fewer opportunities to diversify their activities.

Rules designed for the wider European fishing industry therefore need to take account of the significant differences between large commercial operators and small-scale Mediterranean fishers.

GCAF believes that sustainability and the protection of fish stocks must remain at the heart of fisheries policy. However, environmental sustainability must go hand in hand with the economic and social sustainability of fishing communities.

A regulation that protects fish stocks but makes traditional small-scale fishing increasingly unviable cannot provide a sustainable long-term future for coastal and island communities.

Proportionate and practical regulation

GCAF supports a fisheries framework that combines strong conservation measures with practical implementation.

For small-scale fishers, this means avoiding unnecessary administrative burdens, ensuring that reporting and monitoring requirements are proportionate, and considering the real capacity of small operators to comply with increasingly complex regulatory requirements.

The European Parliament is currently considering several important fisheries files affecting conservation, fisheries management, monitoring and enforcement, including measures applying within the Mediterranean.

These discussions provide an opportunity to ensure that the particular characteristics of small-scale and island fisheries are properly reflected in European policymaking.

A level playing field

Fairness must also extend beyond regulation.

Gozitan and Maltese fishers operate within an extensive European regulatory framework while competing in a market where seafood can originate from countries operating under different standards and conditions.

European policy should therefore continue working towards a genuine level playing field, ensuring that sustainability requirements imposed on European fishers are accompanied by appropriate standards and controls for products entering the European market.

This is important both for the competitiveness of local fishers and for maintaining public confidence in sustainable fisheries.

The Gozo dimension

GCAF believes that Gozo’s circumstances deserve particular consideration in future fisheries policy.

Insularity, transport costs, a small domestic market, limited infrastructure and the small scale of individual fishing enterprises can combine to create disadvantages that are relatively minor individually but significant when taken together.

Future European and national fisheries measures should therefore recognise the cumulative impact of these constraints.

Policies supporting fleet modernisation, harbour and landing infrastructure, digitalisation, safety, energy efficiency, market access and generational renewal should complement fisheries conservation measures.

Keeping Gozo represented

GCAF will continue following developments in European fisheries policy and highlighting their implications for Gozo’s fishing community.

The objective should not be weaker fisheries management. It should be better fisheries management: environmentally responsible, scientifically sound, proportionate and capable of sustaining the communities whose livelihoods depend upon the sea.

For Gozo, protecting fisheries ultimately means protecting both the marine resource and the people who depend on it.

“Learning How to Grow Within Our Limits – The Challenge of Farming in a Region Restricted by Space and Resources” starts from a simple reality: Gozo cannot continuously expand its land, water, labour and infrastructure. The question, therefore, is not simply how agriculture can become bigger, but how it can create more value from the resources already available.

Growing without getting bigger

The paper explores the idea of “growing without getting bigger”. Growth can come through better quality, specialist products, improved management, stronger cooperation, processing, better links with buyers, skills and knowledge, and more productive use of scarce resources.

Particular attention is given to Gozo’s double insularity. Gozitan farmers operate not only on a small island but on an island that itself depends heavily on Malta for services, administration, inputs, transport and access to wider markets. This can create additional costs and practical barriers that are not always visible in national averages.

The discussion document considers several areas that could shape the future of the sector, including:

• creating greater value rather than focusing only on production volume;
• developing specialist and higher-value Gozitan products;
• cooperation between independent farmers for machinery, logistics, storage and other services;
• better management, information and digital tools;
• water and resource productivity;
• stronger links between local agriculture, hospitality and tourism;
• processing more agricultural value within Gozo; and
• supporting young farmers, skills development and long-term succession.

Learning from other islands – while developing a Gozo model

The report also examines experiences from Corsica, the Balearic Islands, Crete, Sardinia and smaller Mediterranean islands. These provide lessons on product quality and origin, recognition of insularity costs, links between tourism and local food, water management and generational renewal.

However, the paper stresses that Gozo should not simply copy another island. Its small scale and double-insular position require solutions designed around its own circumstances.

Starting a wider discussion

This is not a fixed programme or final strategy. It is intended to provide a basis for discussion with farmers, livestock breeders, sector organisations, buyers, researchers, public bodies and the wider Gozitan community.

GCAF believes that the long-term discussion should ultimately focus on a fundamental question:

What should a viable, resilient and competitive Gozitan farm look like in 2038?

The document proposes an evidence-led approach: understand the problems, measure Gozo-specific constraints, test practical ideas, learn from what works and build future action around evidence and the experience of those working in the sector.

Read the full GCAF Discussion Document:
Learning How to Grow Within Our Limits – 2027–2038 (PDF)

Fontana Wine Festival 2026

The seventh edition of the Fontana Wine Festival will take place on Friday, 18 September 2026, from 8:00pm onwards, along Triq tal-Għajn in Fontana.

Organised by the Fontana Local Council in collaboration with the Fontana Youth Commission, the festival will offer locally produced wines, traditional and contemporary food, live music and entertainment.

Admission is free.

Traditions, Wine, Olive Oil and Honey Festival

On Saturday, 19 September 2026, Pjazza s-Salvatur in Għasri will host an evening celebrating wine, olive oil, honey, traditional food and Gozitan culture.

Starting at 7:00pm, the event will feature local and traditional cuisine, music, dancing and activities for children.

Admission is free.

Supporting Gozo’s producers

Events celebrating local food and agricultural traditions help consumers understand the work, knowledge and resources behind the products they enjoy.

They also provide an important platform for recognising Gozo’s growers, beekeepers, winemakers and food producers while strengthening the connection between the community and the island’s rural economy.

The Gozo Confederation for Agriculture and Fisheries encourages residents and visitors to attend these events and support genuine Gozitan products and producers.