MDP to upgrade dairy instead of build a new one

The Milk Producers' Cooperative, majority shareholder of Malta Dairy Products, has decided to upgrade the existing dairy at Hamrun rather than build a new one, Agriculture Minister Ninu Zammit said in reply to parliamentary questions yesterday.

He said the government had, after a Cabinet decision, offered a site for a new dairy but the cooperative and the company, after having engaged foreign consultants, decided that the existing dairy could be upgraded to international standards by the end of next year.

Asked by Opposition agriculture spokesman Noel Farrugia whether the government would be assisting the cooperative to upgrade the dairy, Mr Zammit said the government had been prepared to offer a site, and remained ready to do so should the cooperative change its decision. It had also been prepared to build the dairy and rent it at eight per cent of its value.

As for the upgrading of the existing dairy, the cooperative could handle the work with its own resources.

Mr Zammit did not identify the proposed site of the new dairy, but said it was central, close to roads and infrastructural services, and on high ground, thus enjoying cleaner air.

The minister said he continued to hold the view that a new dairy should be built, and this had been the long standing wish of herdsmen.