Pig breeder claims unlawful competition by cooperative

A pig breeder yesterday filed a judicial protest in the First Hall of the Civil Court complaining about the workings of the Pig Breeders Co-Operative (Koperativa ta' Min Irabbi l-Majjal).

Victor Vassallo filed his protest against the Minister for Rural Affairs and the Environment, Minister Louis Galea, the Director of Agriculture, the Director General of Food and Veterinary Activity and the co-operative.

He declared that he owned a pig farm and raised piglets in terms of a licence issued by the Director of Agriculture. He was also a member of the Co-operative of Pig Breeders for the past 20 years.

Mr Vassallo claimed that the co-operative had assumed responsibility for pig breeding, their sale and slaughter, and enjoyed a total monopoly, even after Malta's entry to the EU.

The co-operative was not licensed to breed and keep pigs, but it was still doing this with the full knowledge of all respondents. As a result, the co-operative was in unlawful competition with Mr Vassallo and other pig breeders.

In his protest, Mr Vassallo claimed that the co-operative was in violation of its obligations for it was refusing to sell and kill the pigs he offered to it.

As a result, Mr Vassallo's pig farm was now overcrowded and this was causing the animals to suffer unduly.

The Cabinet had instructed Dr Galea to appoint a special board with the aim of solving this problem quickly, but in the meantime the co-operative had imported breeding stock, which animals were financed by the state.

The co-operative sold these animals to pig farmers for substantial prices, reaping a profit from public funds.

According to Mr Vassallo, the co-operative continued to be insubordinate and none of the respondents were fulfilling their legal duties. Nor had the special board appointed managed to control it.

Mr Vassallo claimed that the respondents' inertia rendered them liable for the cruelty to the pigs and for the damages sustained.

He called upon respondents to kill or organise the sale of his pigs, and to pay him the full price for this livestock. He also asked them to give him subsidised livestock and take disciplinary action against the committee members of the co-operative and pay him damages.

Lawyer Leslie Cuschieri signed the protest.