The Rural Affairs Minister of Malta George Pullicino is hopeful that EU proposals for a cut in direct aid to farmers would be amended and would not have the impact that is feared.

He was speaking during a visit to Sherries Garden Centre in Burmarrad, which has invested in a €350,000 project, of which €150,000 came from EU funds.

The investment included 92 solar panels, a 20x9 metre water reservoir, agricultural stores and a shading house, reported Times of Malta.

Malta is currently at loggerheads with Brussels over the proposals and has warned it would not support any changes to the EU budget if the Commission did not consider Malta’s specific needs.

Mr Pullicino said this morning the government was insisting Malta should be considered according to its own particular circumstances.

However, the EU was facing a number of financial issues and this would have an impact on the funds distributed.

In October, the country would get a clearer picture of what the EU budget was going to be and it was premature for one to say what it would and would not get.