Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1531497
5 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 15 JANUARY 2025 NEWS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Finland, Luxembourg, and Slo- venia topped the list, with 97% and 95% of respondents respec- tively expressing satisfaction. Malta, however, was at the bot- tom of the satisfaction scale, with only 50% of respondents consid- ering the rural environment and landscape in good condition. Bulgaria (65%) and the Neth- erlands (74%) also had relatively low satisfaction rates. Furthermore, compared to 2022, the percentage of Mal- tese respondents who viewed the environment positively has decreased by eight percentage points, the largest drop in the EU. Other countries with notable declines include the Netherlands (-7 points), Estonia (-6 points), and Cyprus (-6 points). But the Maltese were also found to be among the most dis- satisfied with the state of trans- port infrastructure in rural areas. The percentage of Maltese who believe transport infrastruc- ture is good in rural areas has dropped significantly, falling by 26 points since 2022. Only 34% of Maltese respond- ents rated the infrastructure positively, the second-lowest in the EU, just ahead of Bulgaria. Maltese favour tariffs The survey found that Maltese respondents generally hold a positive view of the EU's Com- mon Agricultural Policy, par- ticularly regarding its impact on consumers and the environ- ment. However, they are also among the most vocal in calling for higher financial support for farmers. In fact, 48% of Maltese re- spondents believe the current EU support for farmers is inad- equate, with 84% advocating for an increase in funding over the next decade. The survey also reveals that a significant majority of Maltese respondents (96%) believe agri- cultural imports should comply with the EU's stringent environ- mental, animal welfare, and la- bour standards. In addition, 68% of the Maltese favour trade barriers for agricul- tural imports. The survey also touches on the availability of organic food in Malta, with 45% of Maltese re- spondents agreeing that organic food products are difficult to find in supermarkets, shops, or mar- kets. This marks a significant de- cline of 18 points since 2022. In contrast, countries like Por- tugal, Croatia, and Hungary have seen increased concern about the availability of organic food. Number of Maltese who view environment positively down eight points since 2002 The Maltese were also found to be among the most dissatisfied with the state of transport infrastructure in rural areas