‘We’ll explain tonight’ - Gonzi on PN proposals

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi braved the winds and the rain to venture to the heart of Maghtab and tour a rabbit-rearing farm where, during the tour, he took the opportunity to pose for cameras holding a 15-day old rabbit.

The Prime Minister also fended off questions about the Nationalist party's proposals to introduce reduced night energy tariffs, and hand out educational tablets to all schoolchildren and teachers.

"What we announced yesterday was just a small part of the proposals we have lined up. We'll explain further tonight," Gonzi said, pointing to the PN General Council which will approve the proposals on Friday evening.

During a brief address, Gonzi underlined the importance of the local agriculture, farming, and fishing sector, saying that EU regional (ERDF) funding was essential in this regard.

He said that thanks to this funding as many as 18,550 persons benefited from EU assistance and were able to invest in their operation. He added that  out of the €100 million allocated to Malta for this sector, €85 million have already been made use of.

Gonzi said that this allowed local produce to "leap forward in quality" in terms of freshness and quality.

He added that this is to the benefit of not only local consumers, but also tourists who come to Malta expecting quality produce, which they then enjoy.

Gonzi also recalled the support that his administration had provided farmers and fishers, such as a reduction of National Insurance by 3%, and also expanded rights over their land and greater freedom to hand-down land to children.

Gonzi also said that Malta is currently in negotiations with the EU regarding the next funding package, but did not comment whether said funding was likely or not.

"In any situation, the agriculture, farming, and fishing sector will remain at the centre of our focus," Gonzi said.

He added that the PN would be unveiling more proposals aimed at this sector, among others, later on that same day during its General Council.

He was accompanied by Ministers Tonio Fenech and George Pullicino, as well as several PN candidates, among them Michael Gonzi and Claudette Buttigieg (Pace).