‘We Pay For New Phones But Haggle Over Our Health’: Farmer Lobbyist Reacts To Milk Price Criticsm
Malcolm Borg, the president of the Għaqda Bdiewa Attivi’ lobby group, shared a few powerful thoughts after Benna’s latest dairy product price hike was met with criticism.
“I’m amazed at how, whenever we go shopping, we readily accept price hikes when storekeepers explain that labour costs have risen overseas—we simply reach into our pockets and pay without hesitation,” Borg said.
“Yet, when the price of Maltese milk rises for the same reasons, we suddenly panic.”
He said that while people are free to buy other kinds of milk, he is convinced that local dairy products remain the healthiest option.
“Give your children long-life milk, stripped of its natural connection to the living organisms that nurture life and support good health. Or opt for soy milk—an ultra-processed product treated with toxic chemicals.”
“If you want, you can give them products from a farm somewhere in Europe that only cares about large quantities and about transporting them thousands of miles from its origin.”
“I would personally rather use milk that, up until a day ago, was still inside a cow somewhere in Munxar, Ħal Għaxaq or San Ġwann.”
Photo: Benna
Borg also warned of a disparity in consumer attitudes – with people ready to splash out large sums of money on the latest gadgets while penny-pinching when it comes to food.
“Sometimes the more expensive an item is, the more we want it, so that we can show our friend how many functions our new phone has. But, wonder of wonders, when it comes to purchasing food, the more miserly we are the the more we feel like kings because we would have struck a bargain. No wonder sickness is on the rise.”
He also noted that many beautiful fields in Gozo are maintained that way thanks to dairy farmers growing animal feed.
“Buying less local produce is a vote against the spectacular countryside in our rural zones,” he said.
And finally, he argued that Maltese milk remains cheaper than fresh milk from other European countries, even after the latest milk hikes.
“Let’s take the food we eat and the liquids we drink seriously and let’s thank God that we have the milk we do, which is the envy of all,” he said.
“With all these global upheavals and the ever-growing threat of climate change, we have no guarantee that foreign companies from whom we currently buy our food and drinks will remain in business or will continue selling to us. And if that day comes, we will all seek Maltese milk. So let’s safeguard it, for heaven’s sake.”
Photos: Left: Malcolm Borg, Right: Benna milk products (Photo: Benna)
Do you agree with Malcolm Borg’s arguments?
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