Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture Roderick Galdes believes it premature to discuss where farmers affected by the American University of Malta development in Zonqor would be moved to.
Responding to questions put by this newsroom regarding the Prime Minister’s statement that the farmers affected would be moved, Mr Galdes said that the technicalities would not be decided by the Department of Agriculture, but by the Lands Department. Pressed as to whether he believes they should be relocated close by to their current location or further away, Mr Galdes said “It is still too early. We need to identify the farmers that would be affected. The statistics we have at hand are those based on the registry within the Department of Agriculture. We need to hold talks with people and see what they are saying”.
Last week, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat inisted that alternative sites would be found for the “few” farmers who will be affected by the American University project at Zonqor Point. Farmers had said that they fear losing their jobs as there is no spare agricultural land where they could be relocated to.
Replying to questions by this paper at the time, Dr Muscat insisted that, according to studies, only 1% of the affected area is used to grow crops while the rest is used for silla (clover). The government, he said, would provide them an alternative location. He did not answer as to where this location would be, instead choosing to make a joke.
Mr Galdes said that that he would listen to what the farmers have to say. “I assure you that I will not only listen to them, but will also take their arguments to the political field in order to find a solution”.
Mr Galdes explained that continuous consultation is taking place and that he regularly meets persons from the whole sector. He reiterated that the Prime Minister has said that those farmers within the designated Nature Park area will be able to continue to operate and said that should there be farmers who would be affected then alternatives for them will be sought. “It is premature to say which areas will be affected”.
Asked about what action he is taking to protect the farmers, the Parliamentary Secretary said – “Work on a day-to-day basis still continues. Our role is to stick by the concept, like has been done in the Nature Park Zone, for work to continue and we have originally assured them that if they are in the Nature Park then there should be no problem for them. With regards to fields that could lie within the development area, we must discuss and see what alternatives can be found”.
As for farmers who are concerned about the situation, the Parliamentary Secretary again said that this discussion is premature. “Let us wait for the whole process to end and once we have the details we will consult with everyone involved. The Secretariat for Agriculture is open for discussions and will listen to solutions”.