The Ombudsman addresses Malta Food Agency Conference on World Food Day

The Ombudsman addresses Malta Food Agency Conference on World Food Day

Published October 10, 2025

The Parliamentary Ombudsman, Judge Joseph Zammit McKeon, addressed a national conference organised by the Malta Food Agency to mark World Food Day. The event, held in Parliament, brought together key stakeholders and policymakers. It was also addressed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Anglu Farrugia, who warned that hunger remains one of the greatest contradictions of the modern era, noting that despite global scientific and technological progress, millions of people still go hungry while millions of tonnes of food are wasted every year.

The conference was further addressed by the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Rights, Hon. Anton Refalo; the Parliamentary Secretary for Fisheries, Aquaculture and Animal Rights, Hon. Rebekah Borg; and the Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Toni Bezzina.

In his address, Judge Zammit McKeon reflected on good governance, fairness, and accountability in Malta’s food systems, emphasising that food should not be regarded merely as a commodity but as a foundation of human well-being. He underlined the responsibility of public authorities to ensure that agricultural production, fisheries, and food supply chains are managed sustainably, transparently, and in the public interest.

The Ombudsman noted that the Malta Food Agency, established in 2021, is fulfilling its functions responsibly, and to date no complaints had been lodged against it before his Office. He referred to his recent official visit to the Agency, which provided an opportunity for a constructive exchange of views with officials and staff. He also spoke about the work of Agricultural Resources Malta, which was entrusted with implementing Legal Notice 150 of 2025 on the registration of agricultural land, stressing that such a sensitive task must be carried out with care and respect for the rights of all stakeholders. In addition, he highlighted the creation of the Food Safety and Security Authority under Act XV of 2025, which consolidates oversight of the entire food supply chain under one regulator. This, he remarked, was a positive development since fragmented responsibilities among different entities only lead to legal uncertainty.

Judge Zammit McKeon also referred to the National Strategy for Resilient Food Systems 2025–2034, aimed at enhancing food security and sustainability in line with the European Union’s Farm to Fork vision. He welcomed the strategy as the right way forward, while stressing the need for concrete and achievable implementation programmes in the national interest.

On the broader challenges, the Ombudsman called for urgent action to tackle food waste, warning against a culture that tolerates the unnecessary disposal of food while others face hunger. He emphasised that responsible leadership must ensure food security, uphold consumer rights to safe and quality food, and guarantee fairness and transparency in food markets and distribution.

The Ombudsman concluded by reiterating his Office’s commitment to promoting justice, transparency, and accountability across all areas of public administration, including Malta’s food systems, emphasising that poor governance cannot be tolerated as it undermines public trust and the common good.