Whilst inaugurating the ‘Festa tal-Majjal’, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Rights Anton Refalo said that “after an investment of more than 10 million euros over the last decade and substantial restructuring of the plant with an emphasis on hygiene and personnel, today we can open the doors of the Public Abattoir to the general public and allow everyone to appreciate the quality of local agricultural production and the emphasis we give to hygiene.”
This was the first time in 125 years that the Public Abattoir has opened its doors to the general public. The ‘Festa tal-Majjal’ was held as part of the initiatives being carried out at this plant, which is located in Marsa, on the occasion of this locality being the Capital of Culture.
Minister Refalo stated that the ‘Festa tal-Majjal’ builds on the three pillars on which this programme of initiatives was drawn up: the agro-gastronomic heritage, the industrial heritage and the Marsa community.
“Maltese pork is a traditional product that dates back hundreds of years. It has been and still is an integral part of our Maltese and Gozitan diet,” he stated whilst explaining that pork accounts for about 80 percent of the meat production from the Public Abattoir. “It is the basic ingredient of a number of typical Maltese products ranging from kirxa, to Maltese sausage and mazzit, as well as a number of other typical local dishes.”
Furthermore, for the first time, the public was able to appreciate closely the historic water tower located at the same plant which has been restored and inaugurated earlier this year along with the entrance of the Public Abattoir, following an investment of around one million euros. Both structures have also recently been scheduled with the highest degree of protection that can be granted to a historic building in Malta.
Parliamentary Secretary for Local Government Alison Zerafa Civelli explained that activities such as the ‘Festa tal-Majjal’ lead to a better appreciation of historical heritage such as the Public Abattoir which she described as “one of the hidden jewels that enrich the Marsa locality.”
“Today, we can appreciate the investments made over the years on these premises; as with this investment we did not only renovate the abattoir, but we have continued to contribute towards our national cultural heritage” stated the Parliamentary Secretary. She said that the appreciation for our heritage helps us to create added value in our localities and more attractions for tourists and it also gives rise to regeneration within our localities. She concluded that “Our commitment towards preserving our national cultural heritage helps us to attract visitors in our localities not only for a specific event but all year round.”
Source: Office of the Prime Minister