We are not panicking

In reply to the letter by Ralph Cassar “is the Resources and Rural Affairs Ministry Panicking?” I would like to point out that the letter that AD had received (and published) from the European Commission is the best proof that the original interpretation by AD’s speakers was incorrect.
Nowhere in the said letter is there any indication, much less any confirmation, that the European Commission had identified any omissions or irregularities in the operation of the local tuna industry.
The European Commission, as is its right and duty, says that it is requesting some clarifications.
The Department of Fisheries within the Ministry of Resources and Rural Affairs is providing this information to the European Commission and remains available to supply any additional information that may be required. The Department of Fisheries is also in continuous contact with the International Commission for the Conservation of Tuna (ICCAT).
The Department of Fisheries within the Ministry maintains that it was always in the forefront, during regular meetings held with the EC, to propose measures that would guarantee the sustainability of the tuna industry.
It is interesting to point out that your article ‘‘From ghost ship to phantom firm: Malta’s tuna exports get fishier by the minute’ ’dated 24 September 2008 states that ‘It is not known whether the European Commission is investigating any anomalies in Malta’s official reply’.a
This is quite an interesting point, especially since it is reproduced a few days after having a front page headline quoting AD stating that the EU has found discrepancies in Malta’s tuna farm operations!
It is obvious that the Maltese Authorities are providing great detail in all their submissions to the Commission and ICCAT. These submissions demonstrate that we have nothing to hide and are not involved in any irregular processes in blue fin tuna activities.
It is a fact that all the cross questioning arising is based on the details we have provided to all the authorities involved including the EU Commission and ICCAT.

Keith Galea
Communications Officer
Ministry for Resources and Rural Affairs

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