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Pullicino warns pitkala against intensifying actions against farmers
Rural affairs minister in Brussels says agriculture middlemen must return to negotiating table.
The minister for rural affairs has deplored actions by the agricultural middlemen at the Pitkalija in Rabat, which prevented farmers from selling their produce.
The pitkala say they are in a dispute with George Pullicino's ministry over aspects of the reform of the vegetable market.
Pullicino, who is in Brussels, said the pitkala were already in intensive discussions with the government over the framework of the impending reforms.
"Their actions go against the spirit of our dialogue... we only just had a meeting yesterday," Pullicino said.
The pitkala's actions were taken yesterday evening in a bid to make it harder for farmers to sell their wares in an organised manner.
According to Pullicino, the actions of the pitkala are informed by demands for higher commissions on sales and a disagreement on having farmers become shareholders in the company that administers the Pitkalija market. "We have told the pitkala that any higher commissions can only be granted after the necessary verifications are carried out, and that we want farmers to be represented in the best way possible to safeguard their interests," the minister said.
Pullicino called on the pitkala to cease their actions at once and return to the discussion table, warning that the government will take any legitimate action to guarantee that farmers can sell their fresh produce on a daily basis.
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Befoire jumping to conclusions the Pitkala have their use also, farmers markets on their own are not enough for the farmers to sell all their produce, Just imagine if the pitkala were removed how many street vegetable sellers would you have then , would all the maltese house holds go to these markets? What about the Hotels who will supply? It is not easy to get rid of middleman, but logic one might as well elimanate grocery store, ice cream parlours , burger joints and everyone goes to the whole saler.
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Charles Scerri-Farmer's Middlemen
The sole responsibility of the middle men involves selling the farmer's produce at the best possible price. For example today farmers sold tomatoes at 1.00 euro/kg. Last Monday the same tomatoes were sold at 1.50 euro/kg. Other vegetables today were sold at 1.00 euro and 2.00 euro /box whilist last Monday boxes were sold at 3.00 and 4.00 euro. This is verified official sales data shown in the Accounts department of the Pitkali.
ARE THESE ACTIONS TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION FARMER'S INTERESTS !!!! ??
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George, go for an as competitive market as possible. The farmers markets have proven a success.
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What happened to the open markets that had to be opened all over Malta?
