Peter Agius seeks answers over Malta receiving just 3% of Storm Harry damages

MEP Peter Agius is seeking an explanation from the European Commission over how it calculated Malta’s €3.7 million allocation from the EU Solidarity Fund for damage caused by Storm Harry – an amount equivalent to around 3% of the estimated €128 million in damages sustained.

Agius welcomed Malta benefiting from the Solidarity Fund for the first time and commended the Government services involved in preparing Malta’s application. However, he said the size of the allocation raises questions over whether the Fund’s current rules are putting Malta at a disadvantage.

“I welcome the €3.7 million allocation and commend the Government services for their work. But when Malta suffered €128 million in damages and will receive only around 3% of that amount, we have a duty to understand how that figure was reached and whether the rules are working against our country,” Agius said.

He pointed to the allocations made to Spain and Italy by comparison. Spain received €149 million, equivalent to around 8% of eligible damages, while Italy received €74 million, or around 7%.

Agius said Malta’s €3.7 million allocation would cover only a fraction of the losses sustained, including significant losses suffered by farmers. He called on the Government to supplement the EU assistance with national funding to safeguard Malta’s capacity to produce food locally.

“This assistance alone will not be enough for those who suffered substantial losses, including our farmers. The Government should provide additional support through national funds to protect local food production,” he said.

Agius is also calling on the Government to explain why Malta’s allocation is proportionately so low and to consider whether changes to the EU Regulation governing the Fund should be pursued.

At the same time, he is writing formally to European Commission Executive Vice-President Raffaele Fitto seeking clarification on the criteria used to calculate Malta’s allocation.

“We need to know exactly how the Commission arrived at this figure. If the current rules do not adequately reflect Malta’s realities, we must be prepared to push for changes in Brussels,” Agius concluded.