An ultimatum given to 14 farmers supplying raw milk to Malta Dairy Products (MDP) to either put their house in order or lose their permits has produced the desired results.

The majority of the farmers in question have now taken action to ensure their farms abide by the strict EU rules.

Last January, the Ministry for Rural Affairs and the Environment had issued a final warning to the rogue farmers following various inspections by local and EU veterinary officers who found problems related to hygiene and upkeep in their farms.

Contacted by The Times following the end-of-March deadline, a ministry spokesman said the situation has improved considerably.

Out of the 14 farms warned, 10 have regularised their position after carrying out the necessary works, another two have applied to Mepa for a restructuring permit and the other two decided to close down.

"The farms which have carried out the works are being regularly monitored and further inspections are being carried out to ensure they adhere to the established procedures and regulations," the ministry spokesman said.

According to the ministry, in all cases, the quality of the milk was never harmful to human health and it was only the farm structures and husbandry procedures that were being questioned.

The EU has very strict rules when it comes to food safety, adopting a policy of controls from stable to table. These rules include animal welfare and specific hygiene needs in all the farms supplying milk to the EU market.

Commission sources had told The Times that the EU executive had been pressing the Maltese authorities over the issue for a long time following various inspections at Maltese farms carried out by its food and veterinary services. The issue was also raised during a meeting in Malta last October between Commissioner Markos Kyprianou, responsible for food safety, and the Maltese authorities.

In Malta there are about 160 farms supplying raw milk to the MDP.