The Opposition sought to win the sympathy of animal welfare activists and opt for political sensationalism when it sided with farmer Ġianni Attard after he lost his bid to save his flock of sheep from being culled, Animal Rights Parliamentary Secretary Roderick Galdes said today.

He said in a ministerial statement in Parliament today that the government would not budge on public health issues and put in jeopardy the gains registered in the eradication of animal diseases.

The sheep, he said, were being culled because Mr Attard failed to comply with public health requirements.

The case dates back to November 2012, when farmer Ġianni Attard took court action against the Department of Veterinary Services in an attempt to stop it from slaughtering more of his sheep after the first culling took place.

Last month, the Appeals Court ordered the slaughter of Mr Attard's herd since he breached public health rules by failing to register the sheep.

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat pointed out that he ever met Mr Attard, let alone promise him anything. His statement was made because Opposition leader Simon Busuttil last Sunday played a phone call Mr Attard made to Radio 101, the PN station, to complain about his case and claimed to have been cheated by the government.

Opposition agriculture spokesman Toni Bezzina asked who, from the Labour Party, had met Mr Attard and what was he promised to switch his vote.