I refer to the article Inefficient reorganisation of veterinary services – Noel Farrugia (TMID, 25 July) with regard to the allegation made by Labour MP Noel Farrugia.

The Rural Affairs and Environment Ministry would like to make it clear that nothing has changed that will lead to inefficiency, as Mr Farrugia is alleging.

His statement appears to have been instigated by people who solely want to hinder veterinary services in Malta.

Thanks to the new structure, the Ministry is giving greater importance to the role of regulator vis-à-vis veterinary services. The position of chief veterinary office at Scale 3 will be filled in the coming weeks and of particular importance to the Ministry’s structure. This position will be equivalent to that of Chief Veterinary Officer posts in other European Union countries.

It is obvious that the Chief Veterinary Officer has the role of regulator and not just that of an administrator. It may be the case that the person or people who passed on information to Mr Farrugia are against the idea that the Chief Veterinary Officer concentrates on what he is supposed to do rather than on matters of a financial and public administration nature.

Randolph Spiteri

Communications Coordinator

Parliamentary Secretariat for Farming and Fisheries

Valletta