FOI director-general Edwin Calleja and executive Cecilia Vella welcomed a delegation from the Pig Breeders' Co-operative (KIM) to the FOI premises last Wednesday.

The meeting was held to facilitate discussions on long-term arrangements between the FOI members operating within the pork-processing sector and the pork breeders who supply the fresh pork provisions to these processing firms.

During this meeting various topical issues confronting both the pork breeders and processors were highlighted, including the state aids that the Malta Government negotiated with the European Union, the unclear situation of the safeguard clause, the cutting and deboning plant, as well as the slaughtering plant.

Both parties reported on problems arising in the required restructuring of their plants or farms and stated that some operators had pending applications at the Malta Environment and Planning Authority (MEPA), which were halting their restructuring process.

The positive outcome of the meeting led to the two sides agreeing that they should hold more frequent discussions between the FOI Pork-Processing Sector Group and KIM to strengthen their joint position with Government and ensure that the local pork sector is given its due importance.

Following the meeting the FOI, on behalf of both the FOI pork-processing firms as well as KIM, was to request a joint meeting with the Minister for Rural Affairs and the Environment, George Pullicino, to discuss the areas of concern being faced by pig breeders and processing firms.

At this meeting, the FOI officials were accompanied by Andrew Agius Muscat (Chef Choice Ltd), Charles Pisani (Dewfresh Products Ltd), Frans Pace (Jolly Ltd), Leli Saliba (Mosta Bacon Co. Ltd,) John Muscat (Prime Ltd) and Edward Gatt Floridia (Quality Meat Ltd).

The KIM delegation, led by KIM president Ninu Buhagiar, was made up of Filippu Bezzina and Joseph Frendo.