Maltese produce diminishes as population increases, PN MP says

Opposition speaker for agriculture and fisheries PN MP Edwin Vassallo said that the government had completely disregarded the agricultural sector as it refrained to make use of EU funds to promote local produce abroad.

"While the population increased by 14%, Maltese produce decreased by 20% and Gozitan produce decreased by 35%," he said, adding that profit from the agricultural sector had diminished by 9% and that 70% of fruit and vegetables consumed in Malta is imported.

Vassallo was addressing a press conference in Fiddien in Rabat, along with PN MEP candidate Peter Agius and local elections PN candidate Antoine Attard.

Agius said that Malta was the only country in the EU that did not make use of specific EU funds to promote local agricultural produce abroad. "The proposals of the Nationalist Party aim to utilise European legislation to promote Maltese produce in foreign countries," he added.

The PN proposals are based on EU law and discuss technical assistance that could be offered to Maltese farmers through seasonal produce schemes and sustainable farming.

"The Nationalist Party believes that agriculture has a lot to offer to our country. This is why the PN is bringing forward concrete proposals that are based in deep study that aim to aid in the sustainability of this sector," Vassallo said.

These proposals will be explained in detail to all agricultural group members. Vassallo and Agius said they will meet with various farmers across Malta and Gozo in the coming days.