Sustainable agriculture

Peter Axisa (July 18) attributes remarks supposedly passed by Minister George Pullicino during a meeting held for farmers' representatives with the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development Mariann Fischer Boel on her recent official visit to Malta.

When the issue of the safeguard clause was brought up during that meeting, Mr Pullicino intervened to remind those present that the safeguard clause, as negotiated with the European Union, was meant to act as a second tier of protection, only if the first tier of protection, being the subsidies regime, failed in their purpose. Mr Pullicino also stressed that the understanding of the safeguard clause mechanism was that it could be activated in the case of proven serious market disturbance. He stressed that the government will continue with its ongoing monitoring of the local market reality and that, to date, the statistics do not paint the same picture that is portrayed by some individuals.

In fact it transpires that the subsidies are still giving the necessary protection to the farmers. Results are also encouraging and the steep increase in the volume of produce that is being channelled through the Pitkali markets is just one clear example for everyone to see.

Mr Pullicino never ruled out the use of the safeguard clause in the case that this need arises. On the other hand, he echoed the government's intention that any request for the enacting of the safeguard clause would have to be backed up by a strong case in favour. Mr Axisa and all those present for the said meeting surely must have heard Mr Pullicino strongly add that he expected the Commission to objectively consider any such request put forward by Malta since it will be based on factual data gathered through ongoing monitoring.

The government's determination in safeguarding the local agricultural sector needs no written explanations. The results are there for all to see and it is indeed encouraging that an ever-increasing majority of farmers share this perspective and are putting themselves in a position to maximise on the opportunities that lie ahead. The setting up of producers' groups, also mentioned in Mr Axisa's letter, is one such positive example.

Rather than engage in futile debate, farmers and their representatives should rest assured that the government will continue to work tirelessly in their and the sector's best interests.

Mr Axisa should be referred to another comment passed during that same meeting, by the Commissioner herself. She said that Mr Pullicino worked tirelessly in the Council of Ministers to safeguard Malta's status as a less favoured area, hence ensuring its allocation of the highest level of funding in the agricultural sector. Any further comments on Mr Pullicino's or the government's determination are superfluous.