Environmental NGO Flimkien Ghal Ambjent Ahjar said in a press conference today that it has filed a warrant of inhibitory injunction in Court against MEPA to stop the uprooting of the trees at Independence Square in Victoria Gozo, which is undergoing a major EU-financed embellishment project.

FAA coordinator Astrid Vella, speaking at the press conference which was held outside the offices of MEPA in Floriana, said that FAA was prepared to take further action, should it be required, adding that they are ready to report the case to the European Courts if necessary.

Ms Vella, said that it was unacceptable that an EU-funded project would be used to uproot these trees which were more than 50 years old, adding that the posters onsite clearly show that the project is using such funds.

FAA said that is has decided to take legal action, as although the original permit was to prune these trees, the NGO now understood that the Victoria Council was requesting to have these trees uprooted and that MEPA was ready to give the go-ahead for their removal.

Ms Vella questioned “whether the trees are being removed to make way for more cafes as happened elsewhere in Gozo?”

Ms Vella said that next month FAA is binging over a British tree expert to discuss the situation and seek advice on the trees in Victoria, as well as those at Nadur.

FAA added that “it is incredible that local councils do not appreciate the value of trees for residents’ health. Leaves remove various dust pollutants from the air and absorb carbon from Gozo’s busy and polluted streets. Trees reduce the health problems related to air pollution, limit exposure to UV rays which is linked to skin cancer and diminish mental health problems by reducing stress.”

Also present at the press conference this morning was the former MEPA Environment Directorate official Alfred Baldacchino, who said that in its pre-election manifesto the Labour Party had pledged to protect all trees, including those in villages and cities on the islands.

He added that if the trees at Independence Square were uprooted it would signify that the Government had lost its environmental vision.

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