Eesh: Turns Out The Ġbejna Is Still Under Imminent Threat

Last weekend Lovin Malta reported that the ġbejna was safe from new health and safety laws. However, it seems like this is not the case.

The legislation states that there will be reform in hygiene, and it also increases sheep numbers for small-scale farmers from four to seven.

“An attempt to spin public opinion prior to the enactment of a sensitive legislation,” Jeanette Borg, founder of the Malta Youth in Agriculture Foundation said.

Jeanette Borg, who is also a local agronomist, claims that the fate of the famed ġbejna is at stake.

Borg stated that an unnamed government source made it seem like this legislation has already passed. It was alluded that the ġbejna is saved, but this legal notice will only bring about the destruction of our favourite national snack.

“If the number of sheep for subsistence farming is not lowered to 4 sheep or less, those farmers who have already upgraded their farm or are making plans to invest, can kiss their commercial activity goodbye.”

Publius Falzon, former president of the Xirka tal-Produtturi tan-Nagħaġ u l-Mogħoż, stated that the organisation has been in discussion with the authorities since 2012, and not for the past couple of months as the government source stated.

Jason Vella, general secretary of the organisation, said that most of the important details in the articles were skipped during the negotiation.

The MaYA Foundation is calling on the authorities to discuss in further detail the legislation before it is presented for a vote.

If you would like to read into more detail what this legislation would mean, you can access Jeanette’s blog here.

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