Developments at the Horse Abattoir at a stalemate as the Abattoir manager, Mr. Fenech Gonzi, and Veterinary Chief Dr. Anthony Gruppetta withheld the permit of breeders and middlemen to be present at the slaughter house and new arrangements have been put in force that effectively have made the slaughter of beef uneconomic.
GRTU in representation of middle-man has been seeking a solution to this impasse as breeders are now faced with additional costs of live animals while middlemen are effectively out of business.
A meeting is being held this week with the Permanent Secretary from the Ministry of Resources and Rural Affairs in a final attempt to seek a practical way out, but middlemen and breeders are not convinced that Government is really interested in keeping the beef production going. GRTU believes that the Ministry is seeking excuses to kill off middlemen. Breeders however need the middleman (bicciera) as they are the people who know the market and they are the best assurance that what breeders produce is all sold on the local market.