Eleven Local NGOs Call Upon Prime Minister To Safeguard Agriculture In Malta
Eleven local environmental organisations addressed a letter to Prime Minister Robert Abela calling upon him to safeguard agriculture in Malta following new legal amendments.
To create a balance between the interests of field owners, farmers, and the general public, legal amendments to Act 199 were recently implemented. However, unfortunately, the amendments removed guidelines as to which agricultural land valuation is established.
Having guidelines in place is necessary and crucial – farmers have one of the most vital roles in society, and this might put them at risk of eviction, the organisations stressed in a statement.
They continued by saying that the rates should not be subject to market speculation but must use fair procedures which guarantee that rental leases are reasonably priced for farmers.
The letter was signed by Farmers’ Central Coop Society Ltd, Friends of the Earth Malta, Għaqda Bdiewa Attivi, Għaqda Produtturi ta’ l-Għasel Malti, Malta Beekeepers’ Association, Malta Organic Agricultural Movement, Malta Youth in Agriculture Foundation, Merill Rural Network, Moviment Graffitti, The Grow 10 Trees Project, and Vitimalta Producer Organisation.
Fundamentally, the organisations want any further legislative initiatives to safeguard farmers and agriculture in Malta, which will ultimately secure both the farmers’ lives and the quality of food that the public eventually consumes.
The organisations remain hopeful, with the letter exclaiming that any further alterations in any future legislation procedures should be discussed in-depth with the organisations themselves.
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