Environment Minister Leo Brincat said the government this year will be drawing up and implementing a plan of action against air pollution.

He was speaking after talks with Professor Hans Emiel Aloysius Bruyninckx, executive director of the European Environment Agency and with Barbara Clark, head of the European Environment Information and Observation Network.

The plan of action is awaiting the setting up of the Environment and Resources Authority. He said work on the division of the Malta Environment and Planning Authority is at an advanced stage and there will be public consultation on it.

The government is finalising a memorandum of understanding with the Italian government on cooperation in the air pollution sector, and a technical team has been invited to Germany after a German expert’s visit here in connection with air quality.

Mr Brincat added that a plan on waste management has been drawn up, together with a strategy on the sector, and another plan about reducing waste after public consultation following a strategic environmental assessment.