PL MP Marlene Farrugia said this evening that the government's plan on the environment reminds her of Austin Gatt's bridge to nowhere, which the PL used to criticise so much.
Speaking during the debate on the financial estimates of the Environment Ministry, the vocal MP said a healthy environment is crucial for a healthy lifestyle.
"From what I can see people out there cannot see a clear picture of where we want to take this country."
In 2006 the PN government had increased the zones where construction is allowed. Now we are hearing about new plans to take up more of Malta's remaining green areas for construction projects.
Dr Farrugia said the new gas-fired power station and the closing down of the Marsa plant would definitely improve air quality and the Labour government will be doing much more than the PN did in 25 years. She said, however, that the power station deadline had suddenly vanished. "We do not even have a deadline for a deadline."
We have to show we are serious and responsible, be it in the environmental, health or tourism sector, but by dishing out policies like pastizzi this is not the impression we are giving, she said, noting that the country does not even have a national water plan.
The government also seems committed to take up the few kilometres of shoreline in the south for mass tourism projects. Dr Pullicino said it is easy to plan the MEPA demerger on paper but the environment cannot be ignored and has to remain at the heart of every major decision, project or plan.
"Having green belts around development areas is nothing to boast about, it should be a natural thing. We should make sure that our children are able to play and roll around in the grass but I fear that these green areas will soon become a distant memory."
The government MP urged the government to consider underground transport systems in a country where green areas are worth their weight in gold and where emissions need to be drastically reduced.
Dr Farrugia said she sympathises with the Environment Minister, who is doing all he can do with the resources he has. But the problem remained that there is hardly anywhere to go for a walk and trees are being destroyed on an everyday basis. There is no scrutiny or enforcement. Opening new gardens is commendable but it would be better to protect the remaining garigue and identify areas for afforestation projects.
6,000 trees to be planted in 2015
Environment Minister Leo Brincat said some 6,000 trees will be planted next year. He denied claims that the government is not doing anything on afforestation projects and said 3,219 have been planted this year so far and 300 more will be planted by the end of the year. Next year a further 1,800 trees will be planted in Mizieb, 2,000 in Buskett and another 2,000 under the 34U project.
Mr Brincat said environmental issues should not only be limited to the environment ministry but to all ministries. As soon as the new cabinet was sworn the new ministers discussed what environmental measures each and every ministry could implement. The results were better than those registered before 2013.
Like the one before it, next year's budget includes several environmental measures, including the closing down of the the Marsa power station, incentives for hybrid and electric cars and bicycles and measures to limit construction cranes. On the other hand, the PN had prepared a cabinet memos which were never implemented.
The Minister said the government believes in the green belts concept and will hold public consultation sessions on the subject. We want to have more recreation areas that serve as a lung for the country. He announced that the government will call on the private sector to come up with proposals on the provision of new services at the Sant Antnin Family Park.
New rules for dangerous animals to be published soon
Parliamentary Secretary Roderick Galdes said he disagreed with claims that the excise tax on wine would negatively affect high quality Maltese wines. It will more likely affect low quality products which the government does not want to increase. It will also serve as a means to monitor what kind of wine is being imported.
Mr Galdes denied that the government was not helping NGOs and animal sanctuaries, as claimed earlier on during the sitting by PN MP Michael Gonzi.
He said he was also surprised about the PN MP's claims on hunting when hunting falls under EU laws and not under the Animal Welfare Act. The government had also renewed an agreement with a German organisation to carry out a free neutering programme, saving the government a considerable amount of money.
Reacting to criticism about the importation of exotic and potentially dangerous animals, Mr Galdes said this was not a new problem but the government will soon have regulations on dangerous animals and there will be the necessary antidotes for emergencies. Ministry officials are advising pet shops on how to be fully compliant with the law and 20 pet shops will be registered in the coming days.
The Parliamentary Secretary said the government allocated €75,000 for the National Animal Welfare Fund and this will be complemented by a fundraising campaign. He said he disagreed, however, with giving money to NGOs. He referred to past cases of fraud by NGO members and said the government prefers helping these organisations with their daily needs rather than signing cheques.
The government also aims to strengthen awareness campaigns for pet owners, warning them against abandoning animals, or dumping them at sanctuaries.
Mr Galdes said it was not the fault of the ministry that some 500 illegally imported song birds that were confiscated and held as evidence by the courts had died. The order was issued by the courts and the government was not involved. The ones that made it, he said, were released in Comino, far from trappers.
Referring to report in the PN media that claimed that imported vegetables were being mixed with local produce at the Pitkali market, Mr Galdes said he had asked the police to investigate and the government would not protect anyone who abused the system.