Stop new permits until parliamentary process is complete - PD

MPs Godfrey Farrugia and Marlene Farrugia of Partit Demokratiku have asked the Parliamentary Permanent Committee of Environment and Development to discuss the regulation, operation and environmental monitoring of blue-fin tuna aquaculture situated in the Northern coastal waters.

“Since January a public controversy has been ongoing when the number of tuna pens situated in a temporary site have been dramatically increased, from 12 to 22, when the process of prescreening application for this extension of the tuna farm has not been approved,” PD said.

In a letter addressed to the committee chairman, Alex Muscat, the PD MPs requested that the Northern aquaculture fish farm areas are put as an item for discussion in the next Parliamentary Committee’s meeting.

This referred item to the agenda immediately follows PD’s previous request, that dealt with Government’s recommendation to extend Bulebel Industrial Estate into the adjacent rural land marked as high-grade agricultural land and which was “unexpectedly” reversed by Government following the findings of this Parliamentary Committee meeting.

PD asked whether the government would reverse the eviction orders imposed on to farmers now that the government has decided to abandon its venture.

It also asked whether the government would redefine this ODZ land marked as ‘area under further study‘ and rewrite policy SMZN 02.

“In all its endeavors Partit Demokratiku will continue to uphold to the principles of best management practices to safeguard a sustainable environment and ensure that our limited natural capital is preserved for prosperity,” the party said.