PN chief spokesperson Peter Agius has written to the European Commission asking it to investigate breaches of EU law by some Member States that are affecting the supply of basic foodstuffs to Malta.

In a letter to the Commissioners for the Internal Market and Agriculture, Agius said that Malta, as an island with no local cereal, grain or wheat production, depends entirely on European free movement for its supply and substinence of the local population for the production of consumer products, in particular bread and bread products as well as for the supply of grain and feed for all our agricultural industry.

“It has come to our knowledge that the local producers of wheat flour are reporting difficulties of supply of wheat from producers like Hungary, Bulgaria and Romania who in turn are citing newly adopted national measures restraining exportation by outright bans quotas or prior notifications.”

Agius said that, in his view, this is in direct breach of the provisions of free movement of goods in the Treaty on European Union and its implementing provisions.

“We ask your immediate intervention as per your defined duties and powers in the treaty to investigate this matter and consider all precautionary and remediary actions to ensure the proper functioning of the internal market.”

The Ukraine-Russia conflict has led to a shortage in foodstuffs, particularly grains and wheats, which the Ukraine is a major exporter of. The crisis is also expected to lead to increase in other food prices as well as in the prices of fuel and gas.

In a Facebook post, Agius said Putin’s aggression on the Ukrainian people will lead to difficulties for everyone. “European solidarity is not optional but is ours by right.”