A set of new regulations will ban the advertising of agricultural land as being for sale for recreational purposes, while also introducing stringent rules to ensure that agricultural land is used for farming.
The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Rights, Anton Refalo, launched the Agricultural Land Protection Regulations in a press conference on Monday.
The ministry said in a statement that this new framework of legal measures is designed to safeguard and promote the sustainable utilisation of a vital natural resource: agricultural land.
“The newly introduced regulations, based on the Agricultural Land Reform White Paper of 2022 and the Agriculture Act of 2024, create a detailed legal framework aimed at ensuring that land is registered and actively cultivated in line with established agricultural best practices,” the ministry said.
The new regulations are set out to tackle land abandonment and speculative neglect which leads to agricultural land being converted into land for recreational use.
Farms or valid title holders must now register their agricultural land with the Director of Agriculture within six months of the new regulations coming into force, and they must also submit a crop plan outlining the intended use of the land over the course of one or more agricultural years.
The agricultural year runs between 1 September and the following 31 August.
In order to discourage land abandonment and preserve the viability of the soil, the regulations state that every plot of land must be cultivated at least once per agricultural year, and can only be left fallow if this forms part of a recognised crop rotation strategy.
The Malta Agricultural Resources Agency will take charge of managing unregistered land until a rightful owner is identified.
The new regulations also ban any form of advertising that promotes agricultural land for non-agricultural purposes.
Activities that cause damage to soil, such as covering it with concrete or stones or storing objects larger than two square metres have also been banned – with the latter measure being intended to stop people using agricultural land as storage areas for things such as boats.
Minister Anton Refalo emphasised that these initiatives embody the Government’s vision in terms of sustainability and the fundamental need for Malta to continue producing its food and protecting its identity.
“This marks a pivotal moment for the agricultural sector in our country as we continue protecting Malta’s agricultural land. The purpose of these regulations is not to obstruct farmers, but rather to support them. A new system is being developed to encourage sustainable and equitable agricultural practices, address abuse, and safeguard the land for future generations,” Minister Refalo emphasised.
The regulations impose strict restrictions on the advertising and sale of agricultural land for non-agricultural purposes to safeguard the land’s primary function: food production and the preservation of rural heritage.
For more information, one can visit https://ruralaffairs.gov.mt/artagrikola/. The registration period is now open and will conclude in two months.
The conference was also addressed by the Permanent Secretary within the Office of the Prime Minister, responsible for the Implementation and Coordination of the Malta Vision 2050, Ronald Mizzi, who presented the Vision, emphasising that, “The Malta Vision 2050 regards agricultural land as a crucial component of sustainability. This approach focuses on food security, bolstering local produce, and enhancing the environment, climate action, biodiversity, and the principles of a green and circular economy. We are constantly meeting stakeholders towards a collective effort, focused on aspirations that enhance our strength, emerging from a shared commitment to a unified vision aimed at achieving a sustainable future and improving quality of life for all.”