A judge has turned down a request by Pitkali traders to stop the authorities from making them deposit of a bank guarantee equivalent to 10 per cent of their annual turnover.

Despite claims that the legal notice risked eradicating the traditional pitkala – middlemen at the fruit and vegetable market – Mr Justice Joseph Micallef said the requisites at law for the injunction to be issued had not been satisfied.

The pitkala had filed an application to stop Agriculture Parliamentary Secretary Roderick Galdes from introducing the hefty guarantee, aimed at protecting farmers, in a reform of the pitkali market.

The pitkala are paid an eight per cent commission on the money earned by the farmer for the sale of fruit and vegetables, after helping get the best price.

Business of the 16 pitkala is not based on contracts but built on trust with farmers, the court heard. But Mr Justice Micallef dismissed the application.

Reacting to the decision, Mr Galdes said he would now steam ahead with the reform.