Clitravi secretary general visits foi

FOI Director General Edwin Calleja welcomed Centre de Liaison des Industries Transformatrices de Viandes de l'UE (Liaison Centre For the Meat Processing Industry in the EU - CLITRAVI) secretary general Mr Dirk Dobbelaere to the FOI.

Mr Calleja opened the meeting by presenting Mr Dobbelaere with a brief explanation of the Maltese economy in general, its current environmental problems (also touching on the debate on waste-to-energy incineration) and the local pork breeding, slaughtering and processing sector. Mr Calleja then introduced the FOI and its Pork Processing Sector Group. He also outlined the volumes of local pork processing operations and highlighted the various limitations confronting these business operators, particularly in view of their raw material provisions.

Mr Dobbelaere presented the FOI with a CLITRAVI information pack, which included various CLITRAVI positions and information leaflets. Mr Dobbelaere introduced CLITRAVI as the sole umbrella institution for all the national organisations of the EU member states and associate members in the meat processing industry (incorporating the interests of slaughterhouses, cutting plants, cold stores and meat processing plants). He explained the membership of the centre, the benefits and services provided by CLITRAVI and the structure of the centre.

At this meeting the FOI director general was accompanied by FOI Pork Processing Sector Group members Charles Pisani (of Dewfresh Products Ltd) and Ms Saverina Pisani (of Mosta Bacon Co. Ltd), as well as FOI executive Cecilia Vella.