Workers from the Plant Health Directorate were threatened and attacked when uprooting citrus trees at San Blas in Gozo, the Rural Affairs Ministry said.

In a statement condemning the attack, the ministry said that in November, the department had carried out inspections according to law and the trees were found to be infected.

The farmers were then toldd that the trees had to be destroyed to wipe out the disease.

But when the uprooting started this morning, the workers were threatened and the situation had to be controlled by the police.

A warrant of prohibitory injunction was then issued by the Gozo Courts stopping the process. The case is to be heard on Friday.

The department said it was to remain committed to control and prevent the spread of plant disease.

Regular inspections were currently being carried out on citrus trees and a number of such trees imported from Sicily were being held by the department to be examined.

Since inspections were continuous, there was no cause for alarm, the department said.

More information can be obtained from www.planthealth.gov.mt or freephone: 8007 2310.