The European Parliament will soon discuss a petition by PL MEP Alex Agius Saliba calling for an investigation into whether local food suppliers are operating in a monopoly in breach of EU single market laws.

Agius Saliba said he has been informed that Parliament will discuss his petition in the presence of the European Commission on 14th February. This followed a vote among the coordinators of the European Parliament’s political groupings, where the parties, including the EPP which the PN is part of, voted in favour.

“This is another step in favour of full justice with regards the issue of Malta’s internal market to ensure the Maltese regulator authorities are given more power to control the food product market.”

Agius Saliba has warned that while in most EU countries, several food importers get to compete against each other, resulting in lower prices, the Maltese market is largely controlled by a couple of large importers.

“As the guardian of the EU treaties, the European Commission has the duty, the obligation and the tools to take action if a European market isn’t functioning well,” he said.

“It can intervene to ensure fair competition that leads to competitive market prices or take other measures through different EU treaties.”

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Has food become too expensive?