PM assures farmers: their interests and those of agriculture will be safeguarded

Eddie Fenech Adami assured farmers yesterday that in its negotiations with the European Union, the government was committed to safeguard their interests and those of the future of agriculture in Malta.

Addressing visitors to the fruit and vegetable fair at the pitkali vegetable market in Ta' Qali, the prime minister said that as negotiations with the EU were nearing completion, agriculture remained the most difficult pending issue which was left to be tackled.

He stressed that negotiations on this sector were ongoing and the government was determined to protect the interests of agriculture.

Dr Fenech Adami said the government was not only committed to maintain the farmers' status quo but to create the necessary conditions for agriculture in Malta to be strengthened.

He said the country needed to protect its remaining agricultural land and at the same time it also needed the production of fruit and vegetables.

Dr Fenech Adami said the Maltese negotiators were putting the case before the EU that the agriculture sector has its particular characteristics and that it should be looked at from an angle which could be different to that of some member states and other acceding countries.

"Our agricultural sector has its own particular characteristics and we remain committed to defend the interest of the local industry and the Maltese farmers."

Dr Fenech Adami said he wanted to assure farmers that the government was all out seeking to guarantee a better future for them and their families.

"We want to ensure that the livelihood of the Maltese farmers will be guaranteed. At the same time everyone has to understand that we need to take care of the consumers' interests as well."

Dr Fenech Adami said the recent removal of certain agricultural levies was in some cases resulting in cheaper prices. "For instance I was told that one specific product which used to cost Lm1.15 went down to 65c."

At the same time, he added, the Maltese farmers were aware that the government was making it clear it wanted to continue assisting the local industry.

"Since we started removing agricultural levies we have already allocated Lm500,000 in aid to farmers and producers."

Dr Fenech Adami said his government was committed to continue negotiating the few remaining issues over the coming days "with the ultimate aim of successfully concluding negotiations over the coming weeks".

In a statement the Labour Party said that the government continued with its false campaign to give the impression that it was obtaining special treatment from the European Union, but the truth was that it was giving in to the EU and introducing all EU regulations.

One of the sectors which was going through this was that of agriculture.

The PN was placing the interests of the EU before those of the agriculture sector, it claimed.