A group of dairy producers and their spouses have filed a court case against the government after they learnt that amounts they had been contractually promised to upgrade their farms had been slashed. 

The farmers had proceeded to upgrade their farms after signing contracts that they will be receiving funds through the EU's Animal Housing Scheme which covers up to 50 per cent of the capital investment. 

But soon after the election in March 2013, the farmers were informed that funds were not available and that the funds they were promised were being slashed. 

One farmer who had been promised, through a contract, the receipt of €75,700 was told he would be receiving only €21,200 while another who was promised almost €40,000 had his amount reduced to €10,500. 

In a case filed before the First Hall of the Civil Court, the farmers explained that they had applied for funds through The Dairy Restructuring Aid - Animal Housing Scheme 2002-2008, which was to cover up to half of expenses to develop their farms. After their applications were accepted, they invested large sums to upgrade their farms in accordance to standards of the scheme.

The contracts were signed in March 2013 but soon after the election, the new administration appointed a board to revise the contracts that had been signed. In November last year, the producers were informed that the funds they would be receiving was much lower than the amounts stipulated in the contract. 

The producers did not accept what was being offered to them and called on the Director of Agriculture, Justin Zahra, to honour the contracts. All calls fell on deaf ears, leading the farmers to take the matter to court. 

The case was filed against Parliamentary secretary for Agriculture and Animal Rights, Roderick Galdes, Environment Minister Leo Brincat and Dr Zahra. 

They are requesting the court to declare that their fundamental human right to a fair trial had been breached, that the decision taken about the promised funds was ultra vires and that the basic principles of natural justice had not been respected. They are also claiming abuse of power and breach of contract.   

Lawyers Jason Azzopardi and Kris Busietta signed the writ.