An EU inspection of the safety of food of animal origin in Malta last December concluded that limited progress has been made to improve premises and equipment used in slaughterhouses since 2007, The Sunday Times has learnt.
The report, drawn up by the European Commission's Food and Veterinary Office (FVO), which falls under Maltese Commissioner John Dalli, will detail the shortfalls of systems and procedures used in Malta. It is expected to be published in the coming weeks.
The information emerged after The Sunday Times contacted the FVO following parliamentary statements made by Rural Affairs Minister George Pullicino. Replying to a question by Labour MP Leo Brincat, the minister said that while technology at the abattoir was considered to be "state-of-the-art", the processes implemented did not conform to EU standards.
The ministry told The Sunday Times that the processes mentioned refer to work practices employed by "the middlemen", adding that a code of practice was being developed to bring their operations in line with EU standards.
"For example, a clear demarcation of responsibilities needs to be made between the operator and the regulator of the abattoir. These procedures have been discussed with all interested parties," a ministry spokesman said.
The FVO confirmed that following the visit to Malta last December, a letter was sent to the local authorities drawing their attention to the shortcomings, which went beyond the middlemen. The Maltese authorities were invited to a meeting on February 22 with the Commission to detail the action required.
A Commission spokesman told The Sunday Times that the findings of the last FVO mission in Malta with regard to the safety of food of animal origin indicated that limited progress had been made since a previous mission on the same subject carried out in 2007.
"The main findings are linked to premises and equipment of slaughterhouses, where modernisation is needed to bring the status up to the EU standards and the implementation of the EU rules on official controls."
The 2007 report on Malta noted that in the red meat slaughterhouse, there were "significant deficiencies" concerning hygiene requirements and beef labelling, among other things. The FVO also registered its disapproval of cutting activities being carried out in premises that were not approved for this activity.
The four largest rabbit slaughterhouses were operating despite their lack of compliance with the basic hygiene requirements, the report states.
The report highlights several concerns beyond the abattoir, among them that on-farm raw milk cheese producers selling to retailers do not meet basic hygiene requirements.
Several other reports have been produced since 2007, and almost without exception each of them notes "some improvement" but lists several agreed actions which Malta has not implemented.
The reports noted "enforcement action being limited", which led to "recurring animal welfare problems" and animals undergoing "unnecessary suffering".
The Commission told The Sunday Times it was monitoring the situation and awaiting further information on progress of ongoing actions and future planned actions: "The main concern of the Commission is that Malta will take the necessary measures".
When The Sunday Times asked the Rural Affairs Ministry to state deadlines for implementation, the spokesman said: "Changes are being made".
Pressed on whether any obstacles were being encountered, the ministry said: "No particular obstacles are being encountered. There is ongoing consultation with all stakeholders and there is agreement that things must continue to improve".