No breakthrough yet in potato export issue

There was little progress yesterday in the potato export dispute between the government and the growers who want to export to Belgium, with their spokesman Peter Axisa writing to European Commission President Romano Prodi asking for his intervention.

"If our potatoes don`t get to Brussels, we will," a frustrated Mr Axisa said yesterday.

The letter was faxed to Mr Prodi yesterday, explaining that the company was a new one, made up of two farmers` associations and a cooperative.

"Our hopes were raised high with various statements issued from time to time that the government`s intention is to liberalise the cartel that has been practised by the various governments of Malta over the past years with regard to the export of potatoes," he wrote.

"We have nothing against the government assisting in the export of potatoes. What we are against and we assume this is one of the European Union`s fundamental principles is that any initiative like the one our company is striving hard to make is not stifled."

The letter explains that a consignment due to leave last week bound for Belgium had been stopped by the authorities, because the Dutch buyers of the government contract had objected.

"It is impossible to explain all this in writing but I would appreciate it if we could take you up on the offer you recently made to

Maltese farmers and send a representative to meet with you and explain the situation."

Mr Axisa explained that farmers in Malta had always been sceptical with regard to the European Union and this latest move would be disastrous for the government in so far as losing the confidence of farmers. "

They wrote that although they had taken immediate action in the Maltese courts and although they were sure that they would eventually win the case, waiting for a decision could very well have a negative impact on the contractor they had found in Belgium.

"So in the meantime, we would be very grateful if you could use your influence on the Maltese government to allow us to carry on with this trial to Belgium, subject to the condition of the potatoes still being in good condition, so as not to lose the hard work that has gone into finding the interested parties in Belgium and not losing the great potential of the market that we intend building up. If we do not send this consignment by the coming Sunday all our efforts will have been in vain."

In the meantime, the containers at Ta` Qali are now being cooled, although Mr Axisa does not hold out much hope for their future.

A vessel leaves on Sunday, the last chance he has to get the potatoes to Belgium by May 31. After this, they would be subject to extra duty, under new tariffs which come into force on June 1.

"They are sure to be damaged by now anyway," Mr Axisa shrugged.

"I don`t hold out much hope of any solution being reached by Sunday."