Dr Sant met with farmers who grow fruit and vegetables near the locality’s church to hear about the problems they are facing. The meeting was very friendly and informal, with Dr Sant sitting on the church’s steps as the farmers gathered around him.

He listened to their complaints and asked questions to better understand their situation. As soon as Dr Sant mentioned the government subsidies, all the farmers started grumbling. One of the men said that the subsidy for machinery is negligible, when one considers the price of the actual machine.

Although the farmers were aware that competition would increase after Malta’s EU accession, they said they were given no advice on how to deal with the situation.

Maltese farmers used to make their greatest profit from the early season. Now that fruit and vegetables are being imported all year round from Sicily and Northern Africa, this is no longer of any advantage, said Dr Sant.

The MLP leader said that increased competition works to the consumer’s advantage but the farmers’ production has stopped abruptly (lampa stampa). The farmers made the point that the reduction in prices is not being reflected in the market, claiming that consumers have not benefited from this reduction, although Dr Sant said he had heard the contrary. The matter still has to be looked into more closely, he said.

The one item of produce from which farmers can still make a profit is potatoes, but the farmers explained that this cannot be done in the Manikata area. Sea spray can upset the crops and therefore it can be potentially dangerous to rely on potato crops.

The government must take everyone into consideration, said Dr Sant. A strategy must be drawn up to support farmers because the present subsidies are not enough. He stressed that the government must give farmers advice and offer alternatives so their livelihood is safeguarded.

The MLP candidates standing for the EP election are conscious of the problems faced by farmers and know of the importance that should be given to this trade, the Opposition leader said.

The farmers from Manikata then presented Dr Sant with a gift basket full of their produce – fruit and vegetables freshly picked from the fields.