The Resources Ministry is drawing up a plan of action to tackle tuta absoluta, a moth which attacks the tomato crop.

Minister George Pullicino said the pest had spread around Europe and eradicating it would be difficult. It was first reported in Malta last April and is likely to have been imported on tomatoes or plants bought in the EU.

Over the past months farmers were advised on how to deal with the pest. A scheme has also been set up to compensate tomato growers whose crop is attacked by the pest.

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