TOMATO REGISTRATION

(Government Notice No. 79 issued on 22nd January 2010)

Closing date:  Extended till 30th March 2010

Any grower (whether professional or amateur) or legal entity which is responsible for the property where tomato plants (Lycopersicon lycopersicum (L.)) are kept and/or cultivated anytime during February to August 2010, is obliged to register with the Plant Health Department until the 12th of February 2010.

This registration is applicable to tomato growers, including nurseries and private individuals growing tomato plants or seedlings anytime during the indicated period.

The purpose of this registration is to provide assistance for the control of the Tomato Leafminer moth (Tuta absoluta).

Any person cultivating tomatoes and failing to register with the Department shall be subject to enforcement measures as stipulated in Legal Notice 26 of 2010 and the Plant Quarantine Act.

1.  Tomato growers who cultivate tomatoes for processing and for local market

Tomato growers who applied under the ‘Tomatoes for Processing’ Aid Scheme in 2009 and growers who have cultivated tomatoes for local market at Pitkali (Malta) in 2009 will be sent a personalised Registration form by post. These growers are requested to send the filled Registration Form to the Plant Health Department using the pre-paid envelope (BRS) provided with the personalised Registration form.

Tomato growers who cultivate tomatoes for local market but not for Pitkali and other growers who, for any reason, have not received the Registration Form by post can register by downloading the registration form (here pdf, word) (extra sheets can be found here pdf, word) or by collecting the registration form the Government Offices at Pitkali (Malta) or from the Government Farm at Xewkija (Gozo) on the dates and time indicated hereunder.  Guidelines for filling in registration form and sending of completed form (here).

2.  Tomato growers who cultivate tomatoes for personal use

Download registration form (here pdf, word)

Guidelines for filling registration form and submitting form (here)

Registration forms can also be collected from Pitkali Markets (Malta) or the Government Farm (Xewkija, Gozo) during the dates and times indicated hereunder.

3.  Registered Nurseries who grow tomato seedlings

Nurseries registered with the Plant Health Department will be sent a personalised Registration form by post. They will also receive guidelines on how to complete and send the registration form. For any difficulties in filling in the registration form, nurseries should phone the Plant Health Department on Freephone 8007 2310.

Assistance for filling Registration forms

The Plant Health Department will provide assistance to anyone having difficulties in filling the Registration form.  For this purpose, officials will be available at the Government offices, Pitkali Markets, Malta and at the Government Farm, Xewkija, Gozo on the days indicated hereunder from 8.00am-1.00pm.  Anyone using this service is requested to bring with him/her the Registration form (in case of growers receiving a personalised registration form), ID Card, and site plans with details of field/glasshouse being (or which will be) cultivated with tomatoes.

Malta:  Government offices, Pitkali Markets, Ta’ Qali (8.00-13.00 hrs)

1-3 February 2010:  growers with surnames beginning with A to C

4-5 February 2010:  growers with surnames beginning with D to G

8-9 February 2010:  growers with surnames beginning with H to R

11-12 February 2010:  growers with surnames beginning with S to Z

Gozo:  Government Farm, Xewkija, Gozo (8.00-13.00 hrs)

1-5 February 2010:  growers with surnames beginning with A to Z