Minister for Finance and Labor Clyde Caruana together with the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries, Food and Animal Rights Anton Refalo addressed a news conference at the Malta Dairy Products factory, during which they gave details about the important help that the government gave to the Maltese and Gozitan villagers at the time of the pandemic.
Minister Clyde Caruana said that the agriculture sector is very important for our country and like the rest of the other sectors it has been hit very hard during the pandemic months. Minister Caruana explained how the blow to tourism in recent months has caused a substantial reduction in dairy consumption. Despite this, Maltese and Gozitan villagers still wanted to earn a living and also take care of the animals.
Minister Caruana said, “As a government, we have recognized this challenge and given this factory that produces dairy products aid amounting to one million euros. This is so that it can export its products abroad to new markets. This money, in addition to helping the factory continue to operate in this difficult period, also helped the farmers to keep their work going and to save their animals. ”
Minister Caruana said that as a Ministry he will keep in touch with this factory in order not only to safeguard the interest of families, but also the security of milk supply in our country. He added, “This pandemic period is temporary, so we need to make sure that the farmers’ herds stay there so that as soon as the demand for these products increases again, what they used to produce will be consumed again. ”
Minister Caruana stated that the commitment of the government will remain the one that assists every area in our country to continue to safeguard the interest of Maltese and Gozitan families.
Minister Anton Refalo said: “KPH is a thriving industry, in a sector that is robust and resilient to the COVID-19 pandemic. We as a Ministry have always been behind this sector, we gave the help of COVID -19 with € 3 million to the villagers. But it is the duty and duty of the government to listen first and then act. ”
Minister Anton Refalo explained that “The way we are going, as we have a visionary plan, the government believes in this invaluable sector, we believe that in Europe we must also fight for that aid that was previously provided by direct payments, it will continue to be provided. This is a strong signal that we are here to assist this sector. ” He added that “This will not be the last time we will help, but we will continue to discuss and see that Maltese and Gozitan milk is not discarded.”
He concluded by saying, “It is the duty of the government to promote and drive this sector.”
Photo: DOI
