Clear sense of direction in agriculture

In a few weeks' time we will see the installation of new electronic equipment at the Ta' Qali pitkali markets that will enable the grading station there to start functioning. Another grading station is also being set up in Gozo.

The setting up of these grading stations, made possible through the Italian fifth protocol, will ensure that our agricultural products go through a rigorous quality control process that will guarantee a better end product for the consumer.

Together with the other project for the reorganisation of the pitkali markets and the setting up of producers' organisations, the grading stations are lynchpins in the government's corporate strategy for the local farming community.

Farmers know only too well that the government has a structured programme for the agriculture sector and they have tangible proof of the availability of substantial funds for them to invest in improving their production standards because a large number of them have already received payments on account. As a direct result of the untiring negotiations during accession stage and the ongoing work by this government, Maltese agriculture is one of the sectors that stand to benefit most from EU funding.

Last month, for instance, the government announced another assistance programme to the tune of €6 million. In real terms, this means that local farmers will be reimbursed half the expenses incurred in agricultural structures such as glasshouses, water reservoirs and warehouses, as well as other financial assistance - varying from Lm250 to Lm50,000 - for Maltese agricultural products to be better positioned to penetrate new markets.

The government does not believe in pulling wool over people's eyes and, earlier on this month, had publicised the fact that some agricultural products had registered a price reduction. However, in the same breath, it must also be said that the average farmer's income did not suffer a proportionate reduction. This is due mainly to the government's subsidies paid to local farmers, which ensured that farmers' income is maintained at the same level.

To cite a couple of examples, on watermelons, as a result of the subsidy given by the government, income increased by 7c per kilo over last year's income. As for peaches, whereas last year the income from the Pitkalija was that of about Lm80,000 for 53,630 kilos, this year the income amounted to about Lm117,000 for 130,820 kilos.

Farmers growing potatoes are fully aware that with Eurepgap - the new European certification - they managed to obtain the highest prices ever for their potato produce. Furthermore, last month, total sales from the Pitkalija was Lm136,000 more than the same period last year. These are all hard facts that cannot be trifled with. All this clearly shows that our farmers are well-positioned to meet and overcome the challenges of a liberalised market.

During negotiations, ably held by the Maltese government, the EU had acknowledged the particular circumstances of Maltese agriculture and a tailor-made plan was fashioned based on our local needs and on the framework of the EU Common Agriculture Policy.

Whoever tries to imply that the agriculture sector can disregard the European regulations is only trying to score cheap points by misleading those whom he/she is purportedly trying to defend. Regulations are in place to ensure that high quality products that meet stringent hygienic requirements are placed on the market. Both the government and the EU are assisting farmers to conform to these regulations and to achieve the desired standards, with both funds and expertise.

A Nationalist administration has always had a clear sense of direction for this sector and it has always had the interests of the farmers at heart.

The government's greatest commitment towards agriculture can be clearly seen from the fact that, for the first time, a holistic programme was drawn up, formulated on EU rules, in order to maximise efficiency in the use of financial resources.

This is what will guarantee a bright future for Maltese agriculture by maximising the use of natural resources, increasing consumer confidence in product quality and facilitating the accessibility of new export markets.

Mr Pullicino is Minister of Rural Affairs and the Environment.