After writing about the problems of farmers last January following your editorial on the same subject, other readers have voiced their concerns in your paper. All have agreed on the risks arising from the present difficult situation and asked for action and support for our farmers. It is so encouraging that there is a public conscience on this matter of national importance.

We have read about the decrease in the turnover and profit of local farmers. We also know that 70 per cent of the local consumption of fruit and vegetables originate from imports. The lack of availability of local products is another important factor worrying many people. It is worth repeating a reader’s comment that, in our country, we have no access to Maltese products.

Considering the problems our farmers have been facing for a long time, no one should be surprised at this. The fact that many farmers have abandoned their trade, mainly due to foreign imports competition, has resulted in a shortage of local produce. Furthermore, preference is given to foreign products by businessmen who may consider only their own margin of profits rather than the genuinity and freshness of local products. Contrary to our farmers they have no obstacles to earning their living.

We have also read about the various suggestions for improvement in the farmers’ conditions. Subsidies and promotion of our products, even for possible overseas exportation, will be a valid contribution. Needless  to say that we can only export very limited quantities of a few products. However, we cannot reach a stage where we can export sustainable quantities of a few pro-ducts so as to forge a better balance. Our limitations are known to everyone and must be taken into consideration. 

Farming is not a trade like others. Therefore it merits different consideration and attention

Likewise, order and control at the Pitkalija will encourage farmers to have more trust in the system.

Competition due to uncontrolled or restricted imports, which is causing the most grievous problem, has been mentioned by all contributors. Before joining the EU our farming industry was protected with levies and quotas imposed on foreign products. Protection was abolished immediately after Malta became a member of the EU.

Truthfully, the difficult situation for farmers existed even before we became members but it surely deteriorated much more when our market was flooded with imported fruit and vegetables. It is also true that other trades have been affected by imports of general merchandise.

However, as regards local farming it is a different situation. Farming is not a trade like others. Therefore it merits different consideration and attention.

Before we joined the EU, a particular trade unionist had written and referred to the levies as being of utmost importance. He emphasised that if levies were abolished we would solve the farmers’ problems because there would be no farmers left. It seems that time has proved him right. I have discussed this subject with various farmers. They maintain that the most serious problem is that there is no import control and therefore no protection to safeguard their living. This apart from the lack of transparency and accountability at the Pitkalija.

 All these negative points call for immediate action. The alternatives put forward are not the solution to the whole problem. Our farmers are surely entitled to find a market where the sale of their products is not hindered by non-tariffed or uncontrolled imports. 

I agree that we need product importation, but only to the extent that such imports do not suffocate the sales of our local farming products. Otherwise farmers will consider the risks and the hard work they are compelled to do as unworthy of their effort and so give up. That is why I repeat my call to reopen negotiations with the EU for a revision of our original agreement on agriculture.

Of course, apart from protection, the other problems must be given due attention.

I believe that with the right political will, we can obtain concessions which will be of great help to our farmers. 

Carmel Vella is a pensioner.

This is a Times of Malta print opinion piece