These measures were already bearing fruit because the quality of locally-produced milk has improved and the Maltese product had become more competitive.

Speaking during the annual general meeting of milk producers on Sunday, Dr Agius said breeders were today passing through big changes, both in the structure of their farms and in the quality of the milk they produce.

The government is providing a number of schemes to help breeders upgrade their structures, as well as to manage cleanliness on their property.

The department concerned has been monitoring the situation with regard to the breeder’s flocks. By so doing, it was reducing the breeders’ expenses and at the same time improving the quality of milk produced.