Fruit and vegetables, fish, meat and milk produced by Maltese locals will be given emphasis under a new Nationalist government, said PN leader Bernard Grech today in Imġarr.

Grech said that farmers, fishermen and villagers have constantly seen cost increases whilst the authority’s support is constantly declining.

“A new Nationalist government will address first and foremost the costs of the farmer, fisherman and villager by helping them access funds, introduce a fuel subsidy system, radically reduce costs on spraying and inspections and remove rent of electricity and water meters, which have become heavy burdens on the Maltese product,” Grech said.

This would be done through a number of proposals, one of which includes the establishment of an Agency for the Promotion of Maltese Products, working hand in hand with farmers, fishermen, villagers and associations, said Grech.

An intensive program to incentivize organic production was also proposed, to meet European targets in favour of the environment, he said.

Grech also mentioned an extensive education programme to attract young people to these professions.

A reduction in the excessive burden of regulations and costs which have placed Maltese farmers in an unfair and perverse position, as well as providing support for farmers through the local market, Grech said.