Addressing farmers and animal breeders from Zebbiegh, Mgarr and Manikata, Dr Gonzi said competition should be based on price and quality, and the Maltese consumer should appreciate the quality of the vegetables and crops produced in Malta.

He added that during pre-EU accession negotiations, Malta had obtained the right to control the importation of agricultural crops if their importation created an imbalance on the local market.

One has to see how the situation will develop over the next few months and act accordingly. He reminded those present of the number of schemes that had been introduced with the support from the EU to help local products to remain competitive in a liberalised market. These schemes are worth Lm77 million.

Farmers who grow potatoes for exportation said that after the market had been liberalised they had obtained good prices and had been paid immediately.