Listen: ‘We can discuss a different type of guarantee as long as farmers are
Tista’ taqra bil-
Malti.
Farmers need to be safeguarded, Malcolm Borg of Għaqda Bdiewa Attivi said on Saturday in his comments to Newsbook.com.mt, as he urged for a solution to be found.
The association which represents pitkala will not sell the produce of farmers who are members of the cooperative and other farmers.
Farmers will likely have to sell the produce themselves when the pitkalja opens next week. The market which is distinct from the farmers’ market opens twice a week and farmers drop off their produce. These are then auctioned off to supermarkets, grocers and hawkers.
The pitkala act as middlemen and are licensed to do so. For them to operate they have to pay a bank guarantee which was introduced in 2015. The association has requested for the bank guarantee to be lifted when licences are renewed or when a new licence is issued.
Speaking to this newsroom, Borg said while he understands the middlemen’s point of view, this cannot be done at the detriment of the farmers, underlining that a solution can be found.
In a statement on Saturday, the Agriculture Ministry maintained that the industrial action by the Pitkala association will interfere with the market and impact the farmers’ community.
The ministry said the bank guarantee is aimed at safeguarding the farmers ensuring that the middlemen paid all their dues.
At present, the law makes it clear that one needs a bank guarantee to operate.
The ministry is negotiating with the association. The Pitkala Association wants its middlemen’s commission to double among other demands being made.
Issuing of new licences will be subject to a bank guarantee unless a new agreement is reached
The ministry said unless a new agreement is reached, any renewal or issuing of new licences will be subject to a bank guarantee. It maintained that it cannot risk farmers not getting paid.
Monday
The ministry will deploy ministry officials to oversee and coordinate the process on Monday. Farmers can enter into the market at 2am while fruit and vegetable sellers will be allowed in at 4am.
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