Und gives me unique – PS Clint Camilleri

Opting for a cup of socially-conscious coffee

ranean. A radical depletion in fish stocks will not only affect us but the many fishermen who rely on fish for their living.

The introduction of large supermarket chains such as Lidl has had a negative impact on Maltese agriculture, which is slowly dying. What are your plans to resolve this issue?

I was brought up in the countryside and agriculture is a sector close to my heart. You are right, free trade has meant that farmers are struggling and as the Ministry responsible, we need to intervene. We need to work more to promote Maltese produce both locally and internationally. I assure you that we believe it really is the best. We are already discussing improving public information on Maltese produce, so that everyone will know exactly where it comes from.

There are also plans to reform fruit and vegetable markets. Right now, farmers are not fully aware of the amount that is being sold, and we need to put in place a system that will benefit both the farmer and the consumer, so that the farmer can know how much he is making and the consumer can know the whole story behind the produce. There needs to be complete traceability and transparency so no abuse can take place.

We also need to reduce the three per cent tax rate on farmers and fisherman to provide more stimu- lus to the industry, which has the potential to progress and move forward.

There is also the environmental aspect to farmers and herdsman that the public does not necessarily notice. While there is an issue of slurry that needs to be tackled, they are the ones who actually take care of the countryside.

Agriculture also depends heavily on the water table, which is depleting rapidly. Do you believe that this problem needs to be resolved during this legislature?

Yes, as a matter of fact, we are looking at starting a ‘New Water’ project: two in Malta and one in Gozo. We are going to create an infrastructural system that will supply farmers with free water, which is sanitised drainage water. This will not only substantially reduce extraction from the water table but will also, over time, replenish the water table. We have already begun work with Energy and Water Minister Joe Mizzi to get the project up and running within this legislature. Being a civil engineer and architect by trade, I am really eager to work on it.

Brigitte Bardot was in the headlines recently after issuing an open letter to the PM concerning the state of animal welfare in Malta, with particular reference to horses. Do you believe that animal welfare is an issue in the country?

It is important that we start taking more care of our animals and realise that they are not just vehicles for profit and should be treated with dignity. For example, where horses are concerned we know that there are tents that provide shade for them, but I have already spoken to the authorities to take action when they are being mistreated. It is unacceptable to make an animal suffer.

We do need to progress with animal welfare, but we also need to start providing help to sanctuaries. I have met people who dedicate their lives to taking care of stray and/or abandoned animals and the government needs to start helping them more. However, I also feel that we need to tackle the issue of re-homing. How many animals can you care for properly? Instead of buying an animal, people should start going to sanctuaries to adopt one. We are now even hearing of people adopting dogs from sanctuaries in Sicily! They should be made to adopt one from a Maltese sanctuary.

We are going to launch a number of projects in this field. From the educational perspective, we intend trying to foster a culture of proper animal welfare. Unfortunately, there will always be people who are cruel to animals, which is why perpetrators will always be subject to the law.

As we touched on earlier, you are the youngest member of the Cabinet, with quite an important remit. Do you have any ambitions for the future?

I’m still digesting the fact that I have been appointed a Parliamentary Secretary. I was a mayor a couple of months ago, then I was elected as an MP and now I am a PS. It is a change of life and I need to first settle in this new reality. My only ambition is to repay the faith entrusted in me and succeed in all the fields of my remit. I also want to change the perception that because you come from a hunting background, which I cannot deny, you hate – or do not respect – animals. Actually, it is often quite the opposite. My childhood was full of animals and I want to assure the nation that I will do a good job in the field of animal rights and animal welfare.