All hands on deck

After the first days in office, engaging in a stock-taking exercise, you do not have to be a prodigy to realise that, over the last years, good governance was anything but exemplar and outstanding.

I am positive that such a sensation is across the board. From now on, it’s time to roll up our sleeves and start to address the most pressing and urgent flaws. Before the general election, most sectors claimed that they were left on their own and no one cared to listen to them.

We will guarantee that all local products are of superior quality

Their pleas fell on deaf ears and, despite the fact that the former Nationalist Government frequently promised to listen and to be more responsive to the peoples’ disgruntlement (especially after electoral defeats), in fact they became more and more insular within their ivory tower and detached from reality.

Despite all the overbearing statements throughout the past legislature that farmers, herdsmen and fishermen were being given all the attention, now, more than ever, their sense of frustration is well understood. Safeguarding their livelihood is our mission.

We are firm in our mission to improve the modus operandi of vital entities such as the fish market, the vegetable market and others, not only to guarantee fair profits for farmers and fishermen but also to ensure that the handling of produce is done according to European standards. Regardless of decisions that were taken, matters became even more knotty over the past years.

We are resolute that, throughout this legislature, we will guarantee that all local products are of superior quality and that consumers have all the information on products bought as stipulated by EU legislation.

Maltese farmers shall be proud producers of local produce that is superior to the imported one. It will be a natural choice for housewives!

In the first days of this new Government, we have engaged in a string of meetings with most organisations representing the various sectors.

Still, we have embarked on seeking ways to implement some of the proposals regarding the spring hunting derogation.

The first step was to do away with measures that do not impinge critically on the issue of monitoring and reinforcement. While ensuring that hunters will have the chance to hunt for turtle dove and quail as stipulated by the derogation, we will also ensure that the issue of enforcement is given all the deserved attention. Illegality should be curbed by all means.

Irrespective of the laissez affair attitude predominant in most sectors throughout the past years, the Labour Government shall be embark-ing on the implementation of the proposed electoral road map.

The expectations are high and we stand firm not to disappoint the Maltese who eagerly look forward to a Government that not only implements electoral promises but also shows a commitment towards good governance.

Within the coming days, weeks and years, more and more people will, no doubt, realise that this country deserved much better and that now there is an Administration that responds to the people’s needs and acts in the best national interest.

Roderick Galdes is Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Rights.