They spoke on the need of a breath of fresh air for private initiative while reiterating AD’s commitment in favour of food safety and consumer protection.

Dr Vassallo called for concrete fiscal measures to encourage small and medium sized businesses. “Small and medium size business are major contributors towards wealth and job creation in the country. In order to encourage the growth of this sector bureaucracy should be kept to the necessary minimum. Soft loan facilities should be introduced to encourage more people with entrepreneurial skills to open new businesses. In order to give a breath of fresh air to this sector, a shift in the tax burden from productive investment towards pollution, waste and speculation should be effected. In this way sustainable businesses will benefit.”

Juan Behrend, secretary general of the Green Group in the EP, reiterated the commitment of the European Greens in favour of consumer protection. “Food safety is one of the major electoral issues of the European Greens in the 12 June elections. The Greens want clear safeguards for consumers due to the propagation of Genetically Modified Organisms in the food chain. Since the long term health effects of GMOs are still unknown the precautionary principle should be applied.”

Prof. Cassola expressed his concern on the fact that Maltese children are among the most obese in Europe. “There should be more education on nutrition and on the harmful effects of junk food. Children should be protected from advertisements promoting junk food as a way of life.”

The Green Party candidate concluded by welcoming the fact that through EU membership consumers are benefiting from lower prices. “In 2003 we sacrificed our own partisan interests to ensure that Malta joins the EU. Maltese consumers are already benefiting from the fruits of membership through the removal of levies. On the other hand we also believe that the government has wasted precious time in the restructuring of the agricultural sector through rural development. While we rejoice that consumers are paying less, we are deeply worried that Maltese farmers are facing a bleak future because their efforts have not been channelled towards new horizons like organic farming, agro tourism and the production of genuine Maltese traditional products".