MPs cannot pass bill on farmers’ registers

THE House agriculture committee on Monday said it was impossible to pass a bill on farmers’ registers as four out of five organisations disagreed with it, calling on Agriculture minister Nicos Kouyialis to start a dialogue with them.

“After months of agriculture committee sessions we have almost reached the conclusion that this bill could not be implemented, at least for a majority,” chairman Yiannakis Gavriel said after the session.

Out of the five agricultural organisations, four of them have sent a letter outlining their disagreement with the contents of the bill.

“The majority (of the committee) decided to give the ministry one more week if it would like to invite, again, agricultural organisations to have their say on the subject,” Gavriel said.

Although the primary goal is to pass the bill as soon as possible, the organisations cannot be ignored, he added, calling on both parties – those in favour and those against – to send their final views on the matter to the committee in written form.

Gavriel also asked the ministry to listen to the organisations so that the next committee session could be constructive.

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