I cannot say whether this can be called theft or not or simply making use of public produce.

Can anyone inform the public whether a permit is needed to engage in such an activity? Can anyone who feels like it simply decide to pick as many olives off any olive tree found in public gardens?

Residents who live near a public garden right behind Birżebbuġa parish church recently saw this taking place, probably even before the olives were ripe. Last Saturday, from as early as 4am, this was taking place in full public view. With a net under each tree, two men were seen helping themselves, collecting each olive with a special ‘comb’. There were no government vehicles in view.

Although one might say that this is none of anybody’s business, I feel that the public should be informed whether such activity is being carried out officially, with the blessing of some department or local council.

Are these public olives being properly channelled through the Agriculture Department? Or are they being sold to or picked by an olive oil producing company? Were the men in question employees of the department or was this a private action with profit as the motive?