Agricultural policy 'fails farmers'

The government's agricultural policy was not helping farmers, middlemen and hawkers overcome their problems, Labour agriculture spokesman Noel Farrugia said.

Moreover, he said, this policy was not sustaining the income for the families of farmers and herdsmen.

Mr Farrugia said farmers, middlemen and hawkers were very angry that a number of fruit and vegetable containers were being left dirty, despite the government's statements that hygiene at the vegetable market had improved.

Despite this situation, he said, the government was continuing to undermine the competition which sustains farmers' existence, and was leading whole sections of local agriculture to total failure.