Morning Briefing
Updated 1300
Audit reveals failings in food safety checks on farm meat
Malta failed to inform the EU’s food alert system about undeclared pharmacological substances in mislabelled chicken feed, as revealed by a European Commission audit. The audit identified significant shortcomings in Malta’s monitoring of residues, pesticide control, and staff training. Delays in test result reporting and inadequate staffing compromised Malta’s food safety controls. There were also issues with handling non-compliant samples and a lack of procedures for identifying repeat offenders. Previous audits highlighted similar problems, including contamination at slaughterhouses and inadequate staffing. Recommendations include improving result reporting, enhancing staff training, and aligning procedures with EU regulations to ensure food safety.
Two additional 24/7 health centres planned
The Maltese government plans to expand the number of 24/7 health centres from three to five, according to Health Minister Jo Etienne Abela. The new Southern Regional Hub in Paola will join the Mosta and Floriana centres once certified. Abela emphasised the need for more centres but did not disclose locations. Additionally, the government seeks to involve the private sector in providing emergency care, aiming to ease the burden on Mater Dei Hospital, which will focus on emergency and inpatient care. Plans include doubling the emergency department’s capacity. The minister also addressed concerns about COVID-19 at St Vincent De Paul and highlighted the dangers of substance abuse, including cannabis.
PM defends decision to stop driver-courier permits
PM Robert Abela focused on recent decisions to reject foreign worker applications in sectors with no additional need for such workers in his traditional Sunday interview. Abela had earlier announced that the country has enough Y-plate drivers and couriers, and does not require more workers in these roles. On Sunday, he explained that this decision followed an analysis of the local labour market. “There should only be workers that the market needs in Malta,” he said. However, he cautioned that this decision does not mean Malta has no need for foreign workers, emphasizing that sectors such as healthcare and elderly care rely on migrant workers. (Maltatoday)
PN says Government made U-turn on Edward Scicluna’s position
Prime Minister Robert Abela has reversed his stance on wanting Central Bank Governor Edward Scicluna to resign; if it were solely up to him, he would retain Scicluna in the position, stated PN leader Bernard Grech on Sunday. Grech mentioned in a Net FM interview that the prime minister had been defending the Central Bank chief and had not requested his resignation until significant pressure, particularly from the PN, mounted. Malta, he said, was experiencing ‘government by crisis,’ continually moving from one issue to another, whether in the energy sector, the state of infrastructure, or the government’s inability to make sound decisions for the country. According to media reports, Cabinet is preparing to axe Scicluna by tomorrow, despite the latter’s resistance. (Times of Malta)
Film producers call for long-term planning in sector
Short-term results in the film industry should not come at the expense of long-term success, the Malta Producers Association (MPA) said when asked about local industry members’ views on the state of the industry and the performance of the Film Commission. “Our islands have long been a magnet for international filmmakers, bolstered by governmental incentives that have ramped up significantly in the past years,” said Charlie Cauchi, chairperson of the MPA. He remarked that such measures are essential, as they recognise the industry’s importance to Malta’s cultural and economic fabric while ensuring its international competitiveness during a challenging period for the global industry. (The Malta Independent)
