PL Leader Joseph Muscat stated that a new Government will ensure more cooperation with farmers and cultivators guarantying growth in this area.

The country has to face the fact that it is part of the European Union and that stability must be attained to ensure that Maltese farmers are on a level playing-field with their foreign competitors, stated PL Leader.

Dr Muscat said that responsible politics have to be put in act reading Farming and Fishing, sectors which have been put aside by the current Government. PL aims to promote Maltese products in foreign markets through the use of quality marks. Further more incentives have to be given to all in the sector, whether they work on a full-time basis or part-timers, especially in the case of youths interested in entering this sector.

PL wants to help farmers regarding land entitlement and will allow farmers to apply for the micro-invest scheme particularly when investing in irrigation. Incentives will also be given to those who raise animals particularly pigs and milk producers whilst ensuring the operations within ‘pitkalija’ improve using a bar-coding system across the board.

Organic farming is one of the main areas which have to be further developed, said Dr Muscat and PL wants to offer incentives to those interested in entering this sector. He concluded by saying that PL will appoint a Consultative Council for farming and for fishing to ensure all stakeholders have a say in these sectors.