Noel Farrugia, MLP spokesman for agriculture, fisheries and rural development, said the government had proved incapable of launching an agrotourism plan. But in spite of this, private entrepreneurs had developed initiatives in this sector, which had made agriculture sustainable.

But regardless of this positive attitude by the developers, the government had chosen to claim back for itself the land on which they had intended to develop their plan. This land had been leased to them for years by successive governments.

This attitude on the part of the government was unacceptable, Mr Farrugia said. Labour in government would renew this investment, which would generate more employment opportunities and help the environment.