Mr Causon said: “Organic farming is one of the fastest-expanding agricultural niches in Malta and Europe. Besides being more sustainable and healthier, this form of agriculture also has an important economic potential.

“It is vital that Maltese authorities strongly promote forms of agriculture such as organic farming which are based on quality, especially considering that Malta and Gozo do not have a competitive edge in mainstream agriculture because of our size limitations,” he said.

Mr Causon said that in view of this, it is very disappointing that the Malta Standards Authority was charging organic farmers high fees of Lm600 for organic produce certification.

“This policy clearly discourages farmers from changing to organic farming and Alternattiva Demokratika thereby calls on the Ministry for Rural Affairs and the Environment to act in favour of organic farmers.

“Farmers making the transition to cultivation methods that are healthier for both the public and the environment may face initial financial difficulties. Their initial burden should be eased rather than exacerbated by means of punishing fees such as the

certification charge,” Mr Causon concluded.