Hon Noel Farrugia, MP, 29 Triq Antonio Nani, Ghar Barka, Rabat.
Mobile 9949 0016.
 
The Editor,
Times of Malta,
St. Paul Street, Valletta.
 
7th February 2006

 
Dear Sir,
 
SUBSIDIES U - TURN
 
How interesting to read that the Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture and Fisheries is boasting that the government is now subsidizing tomato farmers to the amount of LM542,563. We welcome the fact that he appears to be converted to the MLP policy of supporting farmers.
 
However, casting our minds back to the pre-referendum and pre-general election days, all the speakers for the PN and the pro EU membership brigade were unanimous in proclaiming that subsidies were wrong, misshaped the economy, and must be dropped. In fact the European Commission insisted that Malta finished all subsidies before membership.
 
Furthermore, of the LM 542,563 given, tax free, to the farmers, only 21% (LM 114,797), is being paid by the EU. The 79% balance (LM 427,765) is being paid by the Maltese government, i.e. the Maltese taxpayers.
This is not only an additional indirect burden on the cost of food to the consumer, but at a time when the Prime Minister is struggling to reduce the Budget Deficit, it actually increases that deficit. So the Prime Minister's efforts are sabotaged by his own followers, and their U-Turn, as they re-adopt the previously despised subsidy policy.
 
In fact, any support for our farmers ought to be positive, because agriculture is the backbone of civilization and society. As Malta is a net importer, bringing in some 70% of our food, we must attempt to preserve what little food production we can.
Therefore the situation needs further clarification because the government's plan is to use the subsidies to improve tomato production to 27.000 tonnes pa, from around 12.000 tonnes . We calculate that production had reached 15.000 tonnes , but has now slipped back to under 10.000 tonnes. So why is this subsidy being wasted on a failed project and why is the project failing ?
Surely this is just another example of the government incompetence which is ruining this country ? When will the Prime Minister wake up and take Dr. Sant's advice to reshuffle his pack of losers?
 
Perhaps the Parliamentary Secretary will try to explain to the people just what he has achieved with his Special Market Policy Programme for Maltese Agriculture (SMPPMA), in comparison with his stated objectives. This market policy is only a way of prolonging the agony for farmers/producers who will certainly not be in a position to continue existing in a few years time when the subsidies come to an end.
 
However, we can also thank the Parliamentary Secretary for showing us that the public can trust this government. They can trust them to say whatever it takes to win an election and then trust them to forget all promises and do whatever they want afterwards.
 
Yours faithfully,
 
 
Hon Noel Farrugia MP, Opposition Spokesperson for Agriculture, Fisheries and
Rural Affairs.