PR09/11/2009 AD for Farmers' Markets

In view of rising prices of fruits and vegetables, AD is calling on the
government to assist farmers in setting up markets where they can directly sell
their produce to the consumer without having to resort to middle men. Between
April and June alone, the producer price index for agricultural products rose by
8.5 per cent.

Simon Galea, spokesperson for Agriculture, said:‘In this way both the farmer
and the consumer will get a better price. Other benefits include a fresher
produce which travels much shorter distances thus reducing farmers' expenses and
helping in lowering the carbon footprint of agriculture’.

‘The government should discuss the setting up of such markets in various
Maltese localities with organisations representing the farming community as well
as with local councils and NGOs and co-operatives’.

‘Such markets can also serve as venues for cultural events which bridge the
gap between urban and rural cultures as well as venues to promote healthy
lifestyles’, added Simon Galea.

Michael Briguglio, AD Chairperson, added:'AD welcomes the fact that wholesale
prices of fruit and vegetables are being posted online in a drive to fight
unreasonable hikes in the price of vegetables and fruit and to enable consumers
to know the prices of vegetables sold at the Pitkalija market. The next step is
to provide consumers with the option to purchase these products from their
locality's farmers' market'.

'AD is also calling on the government to start providing properly treated sewage
water to farmers to offer them an alternative to borehole water.'

'The increased salinity of ground water, due to over extractions, is forcing
farmers to invest in their own RO plants. If present trends continue and
salinity continues to increase farmers will end up paying more money to irrigate
their crops', added Michael Briguglio.