Minister’s Resignation Urgently Needed

Noel Farrugia

It is tragic that our country seems to be saddled with an incompetent Government whose Ministers are failing to deliver. Foremost among these is the Minister for Rural Affairs and the Environment, the Honourable George Pullicino. No wonder that such important sectors of Malta’s economy which fall under his portfolio, such as agriculture and fisheries, are a source of worry to all the stakeholders involved.

Let me start with pig breeding. Does any responsible Minister fail to meet with the Co-operative of Pork Producers for a year and a half when there are, at present, so many problems being faced by the members of this co-operative. It suffices to note that the production of fresh pork has gone down by 21.7 % between 2003 and the first six months of 2006. This, of course, means less income for pork producers.

In addition to this, the European Commission has been scathing in its condemnation of the process used for slaughtering animals at the Marsa Abattoir (Abattoir Welfare Assessment 2006). The cruelty used during the slaughtering process would sicken all animal lovers, e.g. using goading instruments with sharp ends to force animals to the slaughter as well as the lack of observation of regulations regarding the stunning procedure prior to slaughter. If this is not enough, it also transpires that the health and safety of the workers involved is also being put into jeopardy because EU rules and regulations are continually being breached. To cap it all, there is also a blatant lack of hygiene at the abattoir.

As if this humiliation of Malta in front of all member-countries of the European Union were not enough, one also finds that a report by experts from the University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna heavily criticizes George Pullicino’s Ministry regarding the breeding of egg-laying hens. It is pointed out that the whole process is in clear breach of European Union Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) rules and regulations. Minister Pullicino is lucky that fowl cannot take to the streets to protest!

Fresh poultry production has also gone down by 51.7 % since 2003 with dire financial consequences for the producers concerned. Even the State Dairy Farm which is supposed to serve as a model for all Maltese farmers has come in for a lot of criticism due to the shabby condition it is in and the lack of hygiene onsite.

One cannot but comment on the fact that the present Director General (Veterinary Affairs and Fisheries) has neither the technical expertise nor the professional capability to satisfactorily carry out his duties.
Regarding fisheries, local fishermen are feeling concerned that Minister Policing is doing very little to defend their interests despite his very frequent trips to Brussels. A case in point is that of tuna fishing. Minister Pullicino only woke up to the need of vigorously defending local fishermen’s interests when the latter’s representatives put pressure on him to do so! One wonders what the outcome would have been if the fishermen’s representatives were not so conscientious and committed in carrying out their duties.
Given the above sorry tale of incompetence, Minister George Pullicino has only one option left : handing in his resignation!