Environmental groups have issued a joint statement to call for better protection of human life and biodiversity, “Eight months have passed since the introduction of the long-awaited MEPA reform and the e-NGOs: Ramblers Association, Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar, Malta Organic Agriculture Movement and Friends of the Earth (Malta), GAIA, Maghtab Residents Association, that have worked earnestly towards such change have seen several positive results of the reform to which we cannot fail to give credit. To mention a few, Ramla l-Hamra, Hondoq ir-Rummien, the industrial garages complex in Maghtab, Arriva bus depot in Haz-Zebbug, and others. Yet, unfortunately, we also feel that MEPA has failed miserably on other occasions.”
The statement continued, “On Friday 5th August, the MEPA Environment Planning Committee (formerly DCC) granted a full development permit for a new large scale cow farm in Maghtab. This major project will be taking no less than 4,600 square meters of fresh agriculture land and is located next to a number of residences that form part of the Maghtab rural settlement classified by MEPA itself as a Category II Settlement.”
“The locality of Maghtab has suffered extensively over the years on account of the landfill that has continued to grow unabatedly to the detriment of the surrounding communities of Maghtab, Bahar ic-Caghaq, Salini, Naxxar, Gharghur and Qawra,” the NGOs said.
“Maghtab has also has had to put up with the granting of several permits for “large scale confined animal feeding operations” most of which are no longer in operation leading to an area that is littered with derelict farms that have either been abandoned or are now abusive because they carry out activities other than those permitted. Such degradation was already identified in the 2006 Local Plans where policy CG04 clearly states:”
“Due to these mixed and conflicting uses and the disorganised character of this settlement, Maghtab is affected by a fall in rural quality and amenity. The aim of this policy is to counteract these problems by preventing the further development of incompatible uses in the area.”
The NGOs contined, “The granting of this permit indicates that MEPA is ignoring its very own policies and once again is giving priority to economic activity instead to human life and biodiversity.”
“In an effort to justify its outrageous actions without contradicting its previous decision to grant the 2008 Outline Permit in for this farm, MEPA chooses to disempower the affected residents with the absurd claim that the “Residential units within the Maghtab area are mostly agricultural buildings converted for habitation and are sparsely spread among the existing operational farms.” the NGOs said.
“This statement is not only incorrect but it also ignores the fact that the Maghtab population counts no less than 230 residents, with 8 of the families living within a distance of less than 70 metres from the development. Most of these households include women of childbearing age and a number of children whom Faculty of Public Health considers to be vulnerable to risk.”
The NGOs said that “Furthermore MEPA also shifts the responsibility of this damaging decision on to the external consultations held with the various ‘competent authorities,’ which same authorities have made very dubious statements during the on-going appeal against the outline permit granted in 2008.”
The NGOs concluded that they “maintain that given the abundance of abandoned and abused farms, large scale confined animal feeding operations should be accommodated on these disturbed sites, leaving green-field sites for the cultivation of agricultural products. This would not only respect the laws of Malta and the regulations governing such developments, but also serve to distance existing residences from the proven risks of contamination from industrial farms.”
Photos issued by the joint NGOs – From top left
Maghtab Farms 1. “Cows, pigs, horses, garbage skips all next to each other in the middle of Maghtab’s farming area, ignoring even the most basic risks confirming the lack of power by the competent authorities, state the NGOs.
Maghtab Farms 2. NGOs said is an “Open manure pit causing untold inconvenience to both animals and residents. Residents as far a Mosta complain of fly infestations.”
Maghtab Farms 3. A 55,000 square metre farm, which the NGOs said has been “abandoned for the past 15 year being used for the illegal storage of tuna equipment.”
Maghtab Farms 4. 45,000 square metre farm “abandoned for the past 17 years, partially demolished and being used for illegal dumping of building material,” the NGOs said.