Fruit, vegetable importers reminded of their duties

Food, fruit and vegetable importers needed to understand they too had the responsibility not to be a threat to the livelihood of farmers and herdsmen, the Minister for Rural Affairs and the Environment, George Pullicino, said.

He was speaking at the presentation of prizes and trophies to the winners of the traditional Mnarja agricultural exhibition, organised by the Agrarian Society and held every year in Buskett Gardens, limits of Rabat.

Mr Pullicino said last week had been an important one for the agricultural sector with European Union countries reaching agreement over reforms to the Common Agricultural Policy.

From now on, subsidies would be based more on assistance for countryside development projects, improvement in the quality of products and protection of the rural environment.

The government was offering financial assistance to make good for the removal of levies so that farmers and herdsmen would remain competitive.

Mr Pullicino said his ministry was working on many projects being financed by the EU or by the Italian protocol. These included the embellishment of the vegetable market and the slaughterhouse, a study on soil, viticulture and oenology, among others.

Applications for assistance for rural development, both pre- and post-EU membership, were being submitted this summer, he said.

The Mnarja activities featured the L'Isle Adam band club of Rabat and performances by folk singers and dancers yesterday, followed by the traditional horse race.

Livestock and agricultural products at the traditional Mnarja exhibition held by the Agrarian Society at Buskett this weekend.