Regenerating agriculture and fisheries

All Maltese are aware that, contrary to what is being stated by the Nationalist government, the agriculture and fisheries sectors are not sufficiently contributing to the creation of wealth for our country and for stakeholders in these sectors such as the agro-industry, farmers/producers, rural workers and fishermen. Sharing this perception of the prevailing situation, the Malta Labour Party has seen fit to propose its political vision for the regeneration of these sectors to the benefit of Malta's economy.

The MLP national plan for agriculture, fisheries and rural development has the main aims of:

• increasing income for farmers/producers, rural workers and fishermen;

• protecting and embellishing the environment for the benefit of present and future generations;

• ensuring the adequate provision of fresh high-quality products for Maltese families and tourists and that the Maltese islands become self-sufficient in local food production (poultry production for the local market has fallen by more than half since Malta became a member of the European Union).

It is with these aims in mind that Labour has prepared the basis for a new beginning in collaboration with all stakeholders, including producers' organisations, consumers, cooperatives, institutes, movements, associations and groups with interests in the agriculture and fisheries sectors. In this way, a new Labour government will widen the dimension of these sectors and create more opportunities for foreign investment in the Maltese islands which will translate into new employment opportunities for our youths.

Furthermore, more modern production processes will be introduced, ensuring that these will have the least negative impact on the environment.

Farmers/producers will be regarded as the best protectors of the environment and agricultural products will be considered as the backbone of a healthy nutrition diet for all Maltese citizens. This will be backed by promotional programmes to raise public awareness on these vital issues.

The MLP national plan for agriculture, fisheries and rural development includes a number of challenging projects, foremost among them being the rehabilitation of the hydrological system of the Maltese islands, taking into account the needs of future generations and climatic changes. As a result of this, there will be a marked improvement in the quality, retention and storage of water for irrigation purposes, the embellishment of the environment and other national needs.

In this regard, a new Labour government will introduce an apprenticeship scheme so that youths will be professionally trained. This will provide the personnel responsible for projects and works involved in the rehabilitation of the hydrological system. The damage sustained by valleys, cliffs, natural streams, wells and beaches will be repaired.

These projects and works will not only provide employment for our youths and a regeneration of the natural environment but will also tackle the problem of climate changes. It is an acknowledged fact that our climate is changing, leading to more drought and heavy rainfall when this occurs.

Rehabilitating the hydrological system will address future needs in order to protect crops, flora, fauna, biodiversity, the soil, rubble walls, etc.

The MLP national plan also encourages investment through agro-tourism. A new administration led by Alfred Sant will lay the legal basis for and develop agro-tourism so that both Maltese and tourists will benefit from a greater appreciation of the beauty of the Maltese countryside and rural environment.

Agro-tourism incentives will be launched to supplement the income of farmers/producers, rural workers and fishermen while simultaneously renewing rural cultural traditions and the promotion of local rural products.

All this shows that the MLP in opposition does not waste its time in futile partisan attacks on the Nationalist government but, instead, proposes creative solutions to solve the country's problems.

Mr Farrugia is a Labour member of Parliament.