Government watching out for imbalance in imported and local produce

The government would implement the safeguard clause it had negotiated with the EU if it was found that a large volume of imported agricultural produce was unjustly creating an imbalance in the local market, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said yesterday.

On Friday, the Association of Farmers called on the government to implement the clause to protect the livelihood of local farmers who were being forced to lower prices without being given time to restructure.

Dr Gonzi said yesterday: "We are following what is happening day by day. The Maltese consumer is still exploring and is finding out that the Maltese product is much better than the imported product.

"At the opportune moment and if circumstances so require, we will take our decisions," he said.

Dr Gonzi was answering questions following a news conference held as part of the European Parliament election campaign.

Dr Gonzi said that although it was still early days, the benefits of EU membership were already being felt.

One such indication was an NSO statement regarding state finances in the first four months of the year, which showed an increase in income from taxes together with other benefits.

Dr Gonzi said that following membership, Malta Dairy Products was finding it difficult to keep up with demand for Maltese ricotta, which was a quality Maltese product.

Dr Gonzi said that it was important to give Malta the strongest voice in the European Parliament. Heads of government of the EU-25 were already considering the 2007 to 2013 budget. This had to be approved by the different governments and the European Parliament.

Dr Gonzi said that the EPP, of which the PN formed part, was the largest party within the EP, so electing PN candidates would be giving Malta a stronger voice.

Most of the EP work was carried out in committees and it was important for Malta to have a strong voice at this level. Out of the current 17 committees, 11 were chaired by members of the EPP.

Asked about the Labour Party's participation in the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development, Dr Gonzi said that his appeal for the Opposition to take part in MCESD meetings remained open and was very sincere.

"I will bend over backwards to give the Opposition space to participate in the decisions which have to be taken for the future," he said, adding that the opposition should not, however, be there, just to criticise.

He also referred to comments by Dr Sant that a new Labour government would not touch pensions. This, Dr Gonzi said, was irresponsible and would lead to big problems in 15 years time.

In a statement, the PN condemned the behaviour of Super 1 cameramen and journalists who, it said, were abusing the party's invitations to cover its activities because they were filming after the press conferences. It said it was complaining about this with One News and the Press Club.

PN manifesto approved

Speaking at the conclusion of a meeting of the Nationalist Party's general council at the New Dolmen Hotel, Qawra, yesterday evening, Dr Lawrence Gonzi said that through its members of the European Parliament, the PN will strive to strengthen the values of the Maltese people, including Christian values, and to ensure that the country moves forward as it has done since May 1.

Dr Gonzi said the government was determined to work to achieve positive results which were already apparent in the first four months of this year thanks to the reforms which were carried out.

The meeting unanimously approved the PN's electoral manifesto for the European Parliament election of June 12.

It was addressed by the eight PN candidates - Simon Busuttil, David Casa, Joanna Drake, Michael Falzon, Joe Friggieri, Ian Spiteri Bailey, Anton Tabone and Roberta Tedesco Triccas.

Dr Gonzi said the manifesto put man at the centre of the party's political activity, both in Malta and in Europe, and therefore promoted education, knowledge, work and fulfilment thanks to the endless opportunities offered by the EU.