New Maltese standards are set to go higher than EU regulations for agricultural products thanks to a new national scheme.
The “Products of Quality” scheme will allow interested agricultural chains to receive certification, Agriculture Directorate official Marco Dimech said.
The process will allow agricultural chains to enter talks with the department of agriculture, setting standards that go above and beyond set regulations. The agreed upon standards would then be approved by the EU Commission, Mr Dimech added.
Standards have already been agreed upon for milk production, the pork industry and the honey sector, Mr Dimech said.
The department of agriculture also developed a system that traced products from farm to fork, he added.
Speaking at the event, Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture Clint Camilleri said that the government was committed to increase safety in food products.
Those who take part in the scheme will be fully reimbursed from European funds.