Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/867386
3 maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 30 AUGUST 2017 News Ageing farmer population, longer droughts threatening viability of wine industry Marsovin CEO Jeremy Cassar urges government to help protect indigenous grapes and support efforts to increase production YANNICK PACE AN ageing farming popu- lation and more frequent droughts are threatening Malta's wine sector, accord- ing to Marsovin CEO Jeremy Cassar, whose family of viti- culturists has been producing wine since 1956. Launching the grape har- vest season at their Marnisi Estate in Marsaxlokk, Cassar urged the government to step in, before it becomes too late, stressing that this wasn't just about viticulture but agricul- ture in general. "We need to incentivise the younger generation to take up the trade or we are going to suffer in the long-term," he said, as he warned of less local produce. He explained that the last rain season saw 380mm of rainfall, up slightly from the previous year, but still a far cry from Malta's 540mm yearly average. More signifi- cantly, said Cassar, 340mm out of the 380mm fell before February – the vines' dor- mant period – with most wa- ter being required after. Compared to last year, yields of Malta's two indigenous grapes, Gellewza and Girgen- tina were down, while other grapes had shown a slight in- crease. While water was a problem that could easily be tackled by big operators like Marsovin – the company presses 60% of grapes grown in Malta – a significant number of vines were old, and needed replant- ing, said Cassar. This was particularly true of the Gellewza and Girgentina. Cassar explained that vines die sooner when exposed to stressful conditions like heat. As a result, they are replanted every 10 years or so, and the majority of the Girgentina and Gellewza vineyards in Malta were over 25 years old, an age at which they tend to start losing economic viabil- ity. "Many countries like Italy and France take care of their indigenous plants," said Cas- sar. "Little has been done between our appeal last year and this year and the govern- ment needs to be pressured more to take action." In addition to harsher con- ditions and ageing farmers, a heavy increase in wine con- sumption is also adding more pressure to the industry. "People ask us whether we're looking at tapping into for- eign markets but the truth is we can't even keep up with the local demand," said Cas- sar. Cassar insisted that Mar- sovin did not want to go back to a situation similar to the industry's of some 15 years ago, when a lot of grapes were imported. Local wine production is under pressure PHOTOGRAPHY BY: JAMES BIANCHI Arsonists target Birkirkara's old church, set door on fire The parish church of Saint Mary, popularly known as 'il-Knisja l-Qadima', was the target of a vandal attack in the early hours yesterday MIRIAM DALLI THE parish church of Saint Mary in Birkirkara was tar- geted by arsonists in the early hours yesterday, when the church's main door was set on fire. The police are still investigat- ing who could have carried out the vandal attack, or the rea- sons why. It is understood that the door was set on fire after someone threw flammable liq- uid at the door. As soon as he learned of the fire, sacristan William Catania scurried to the 'Old Church' and was shocked to see the huge flames licking at the door. Catania immediately worked to control the fire by throwing buckets of water and was soon joined by other persons. The church's sturdy door pre- vented the fire from spreading to the interior. Saddened by the unprovoked attack, the parish is urging churchgoers and parishioners from other parishes to join in the prayers – acts of reparation – being organised this Friday. Checking the damage and seeking clues