Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1002137
9 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 8 JULY 2018 NEWS Abela also wants to col- laborate with the Agri- business department at MCAST and other educa- tional institutions to offer hands-on experience at the farm to students wishing to pursue this line of busi- ness. The veterinary au- thorities have already ap- proved the reintroduction of the Maltese goat from Azienda Cammarata after confirming the farm was free from disease, describ- ing the reintroduction as one of "high value" due to its impact on the conserva- tion of the species. The Maltese goat story The Maltese goat is a long-haired hornless white goat characterised by a ra- ven-black area on the top and sides of the head and long pendulous black ears which turn outwards at the tip. It originates in Asia Minor, and takes its name from the island of Malta. It is raised mainly in south- ern Italy, and particularly in the islands of Sicily and Sardinia. A report published in the Pacific Rural Press in 1905 describes the Maltese goat as "a very superior animal, not only on account of its milk, but as a breeder." The report provides some insights on how vital goats' milk was to the nutrition of the Maltese describing them as "wholly dependent upon goats' milk". "Only a few cows are kept here, but their milk is not regarded with favour, ow- ing to lack of pasturage. In addition to the limited herbage, the sustenance of the goats is added to by feeding them with carob beans and mixed cotton seed and bran, the extra feed costing about 7 cents per day per goat." No 100% pure-bred goats have survived in Malta. The drastic decline of this breed from the Maltese Islands was due to the discovery of Brucellosis (Brucella melitensis) in the goats' milk by Sir Temi Zammit. A mistaken belief that only goats' milk contained the disease, led many Maltese farmers to look for other milk-producing farm ani- mals. The British government contributed to the eradi- cation of the Maltese goat through a scheme through which a cow was given in exchange for five goats. jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt TOP: The derelict Delimara Hotel, which Abela wants to turn into an agritourism boutique hotel The Maltese goat is a long-haired hornless goat now raised mainly in Sicily and Sardinia (left). No 100% pure-bred goats have survived in Malta, mainly due to the discovery of Brucellosis in the goats' milk by Sir Temi Zammit (right) YANNICK PACE SOME businesses relish the football World Cup every four years because of the increased business from patrons who enjoy watching the game at bars and outdoors establishments. But one business that does not find the high- ly-anticipated sporting event great is cinemas. The 2018 financial analysis summary issued by the Eden Finance plc, the finance com- pany owned by Eden Leisure Group, says the World Cup currently underway in Russia is expected to result in a 20% reduction in rev- enue for the Eden Cinemas. While a significant drop is hardly surpris- ing when the World Cup is on, it's hard not to get taken in, and people turn out in droves to watch countries battle it out on the football field – whether it's for the love of the game, or just for socialising. A spokesperson for Simonds Farsons Cisk, the brewery and beverage giant, on the other hand said big sporting events and the World Cup in particular, increased consumption of beverages, but would not quantify the in- crease, which is not only limited to beer and alcohol but across the board. The spokesperson said this was in part driven by the fact that events such as public match screenings and related activities are organised for the competition, driving con- sumption further. As with cinema sales, it is the involvement of footballing nations supported by the Maltese that "does, to a certain extent, depend on the participating teams and their level of success", the Farson spokesperson said – meaning it all depends on whether Italy and England are playing, and playing well. NSO cinema statistics for the period be- tween 2013 and 2016 show revenue increasing every year, accompanied by a drop in screen- ings that likely reflects the trend where people turn out to watch highly-anticipated movies – and fewer on the spur of the moment. In fact, Eden Cinemas says it expects revenue to pro- gressively increase with top box office screenings such as 'Avengers: In- finity War', 'Deadpool 2' and 'Black Pan- ther'. World Cup: good for beer sales, but bad for cinemas fact, Eden Cinemas says it top box office screenings