The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Rights Anton Refalo, together with the Parliamentary Secretary for Fisheries, Aquaculture and Animal Rights Alicia Bugeja Said, launched for public consultation the National Food Strategy.
This strategy aims to make the food chain in our country resilient and even sustainable. The strategy gives importance to the essential elements of the food system. In fact, the first pillar prioritizes the viability and importance of the farming and aquaculture sectors. The second pillar addresses the fact that Malta depends on food imports, but that there should be more contingency plans, looking at technological innovation in food, more investment in food reserves and strengthening the arrangements with other countries. Finally the third and last pillar of the strategy, talks about the need to appreciate and be proud of local food and be more aware of our choices.
Minister Anton Refalo stated that, “This inclusive strategy affects all actors of our food chain. A chain that we want leads to a better final product, which brings more added value in all the links of the chain. Added value means that we are proud of the Maltese product that we are producing and that we are eating a healthier and quality product, therefore better for our health.”
He continued that this strategy will be leading to a better future for this sector, including the realization of the very important project of the Food Innovation Hub which will continue to strengthen innovation, experimentation and above all the food sustainability. “We have the political will to continue implementing such initiatives that lead to a better future for this sector,” concluded the minister.
Parliamentary Secretary Alicia Bugeja Said spoke about the importance of the local product, with reference to the fishing that takes place in our country. She claimed how low the consumption of local fish is, although its benefit for human health is known. “We want to create more awareness so that local fish is consumed more than it is currently. Knowledge in this regard is essential in every age group,” continued Alicia Bugeja Said.
She said that the government has already adopted several measures, including direct subsidies to fishermen so that the price remains stable for the consumer, despite the challenges we have had in recent years and she claimed that they will continue to be supportive where necessary .
The parliamentary secretary ended her speech by saying how this strategy will serve to have a future vision when it comes to food in our country, with the desire that precisely on the day in which the world celebrates food, more small fish are used, which are often sold for free or wasted, thus reducing the waste of such healthy food.
Sonya Sammut, the Director for Food Systems, mentioned the work being done in relation to the food chain. She said how our country has a trade agreement both with farmers in the European Union, as well as in third countries. She also mentioned the need to continue to safeguard the environment and to analyze the needs and choices of the consumer so that there really is a sustainable future for this sector. “If we collaborate, our smallness will no longer be a disadvantage and we will see the desired change,” concluded Sa Sammut.
