Over-inflated figures of slaughtered pork raises opposition's concerns

Opposition spokesman on agriculture and fisheries Joseph Sammut said on Tuesday that figures given by the government to Eurostat - the EU statistical body - on the slaughter of pork showed huge mis-statements, just as had happened with tuna fishing.

Speaking on the Bill bringing into effect the budget measures, Dr Sammut asked what benefits is Malta getting out of over-stating figures. He wondered whether this was a case of imported pork being passed off as Maltese-bred pork, as had already happened with imported chickens that had been slaughtered here and passed off as a Maltese product.

If so, he said, this warranted serious investigation.

Breeders of beef and pork alike were still waiting for the financial aid they had been promised.

Earlier, Dr Sammut said that Malta was continually labouring under a lack of education in what was traditional, such as rural resources.

In a short time the EU's protection of the agricultural and fisheries sector would be thrown open to competition. While an appreciable sector of the population was very adept at mental faculties, there were also those who were adept at manual trades. Unfortunately the traditional trade schools, including the Agricultural College, were conspicuous by their absence.

A major problem concerned students who needed facilitators, something which the foundation course did not allow. The usual annual examination was being superseded by four assignments, giving a greater problem to students who were not theoretically as gifted as others.

The curriculum was more suited to British students than Maltese.

The EU was very conscious of the need for farmers and producers in member states to be fully updated with modern methods of competition, but nothing of the sort had been done in Malta over the past four years. To cap it all, inspectors were now being sent out and penalising farmers and producers for being bereft of information that they had not been given.

The agricultural experimental farm at Għammieri had been the victim of dismantling over the past few months, following years of laissez-faire. In Gozo, too, things did not look good for the agricultural sector.

Dr Sammut said agriculture had been made part of the works ministry that had nothing to do with it. It was being said that even the animals at Għammieri were being slaughtered. This was organisational sacrilege: the agricultural experimental centre should remain the fulcrum of research into new problems, such as the red weevil that was wreaking havoc with palm trees all over the islands. Such situations called for an even-stronger experimental centre, providing solace and help for farmers facing problems.

Promising students whose families did not have their own farms would find it hard to make progress if not at Għammieri.

Contrary to EU prodding, the government had done practically nothing to counter a disease that had badly affected herds. Was this another reason why Għammieri was being dismantled, leaving farmers to fend for themselves?

Turning to tuna fishing, Dr Sammut said it was a shame how Maltese fishermen had been abandoned to foreign competition.

Malta was making itself the laughing stock of the EU on several agricultural, animal breeding and fishing fronts. How could people involved in these businesses plan ahead? It was laying itself open to judgement on herds that were inexistent.

Dr Sammut said he had heard that a unit was to be set up to help local councils apply for financial aid from the EU. The problem was that, probably illegally, the local councils were being threatened with ulterior problems if they did not take part in this exercise. Was it true that the unit was to be run by an Italian purportedly with a residence in Malta? Were there no Maltese capable of doing the job? Why had no call for applications been made? Was there some account to be paid off indirectly?

Why were senior officers in the ministry, including heads of section, resigning almost en bloc? It was important to stop this waste of resources forthwith.

Joe Falzon (PN) praised constructive criticism to the budget from some quarters but condemned the opposition's attitude. Under PN governments full-time and part-time employment had increased because there was economic growth.

The budget plans were in line with the strategy for 2015. Two determining factors in such a strategy had been Malta joining the EU and the Eurozone, where Malta adhered to a strong monetary union.

The government was determined to face challenges through the promotion of innovation and change.

The new government initiatives aimed at making Malta more competitive. The economy was resilient and could counter the global financial crisis.

Concluding, Mr Falzon said the people should be courageous enough to face economic realities.

Nationalist MP Philip Mifsud said this budget had been described as the greenest budget ever, having a series of coherent environmental measures which built on those of previous budgets. Decisions made today, be they good or bad, would leave their effect on future generations, so it was important to invest well.

The EU had various ambitious environmental measures and incentives. Suffice to say that a decision made in February 2007 committed it to reducing emissions by no less than 20 per cent by 2020. Malta had agreed that this aim should be extended even to 30 per cent. This was an ambitious aim that necessitated a collective effort, involvement and commitment from all levels of society.

Mr Mifsud said the budget addressed these issues in various manners, including solar water heaters, photovoltaic panels and offshore windfarming.

Malta had to look at what neighbouring countries were doing, those with a similar climate such as Portugal or Spain. Public debate on this matter had been rather limited, but the recent budget had helped to revive it.

Malta had to keep investing in research, to explore the potential of other sources, such as onshore wind turbines, as research coming from other countries was futile. Local research so far dealt with a 2.5Kw wind turbine in Marfa, which when compared to Enemalta research on photovoltaic panels, was seen to be far less efficient.

Larger wind turbines may become more efficient, but their environmental impact would also be higher. And here, it was important that Mepa had a specific policy regarding this.

Stephen Spiteri (PN) said that the current global situation made the importance of sustainability greater than ever.

The government continued to invest in the health sector, where there was still the need for reforms and increased efficiency. The emphasis should be placed on administration of public health services, which Social Policy Minister John Dalli had already devised a plan for.

Sustainability was also a consideration when it came to alternative energy, recycling of waste and tourism. A fragile sector by nature, it was even more important to understand the needs of the tourist. For this reason the allocation of the MTA had increased to €26 million to make it easier to offer a better product.

There were also various capital projects in the pipeline, like the embellishment of Grand Harbour and marinas and various projects in the south of Malta. The government was committed to increasing activity in the Grand Harbour area.