A Rural Affairs Ministry spokesman said the issue arose because breeders were requesting additional aid besides what was available under the Special Market Policy Programme for Maltese Agriculture, or an increase in the price of pork from that agreed in the Levy Dismantling Programme to cover the breeders' uncompetitive situation.

The government, the spokesman said, had asked the cooperative to draft a comprehensive programme on the changes needed in the industry including a genetic breeding programme.

The government currently pays producers 14c4 per kilo for slaughtered pigs.

Pig Breeders' Cooperative secretary Philip Buhagiar insisted, however, that no pigs were slaughtered these last two weeks because the government planned to reduce the payment to breeders.

Slaughtering normally takes place on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, according to demand.

Source: Times of Malta