Nature Trust - FEE Malta urges the authorities to adopt measures similar to those being proposed in Germany, which include stricter controls on both lighting and the use of insecticides.

Specifically, Malta badly needs to implement a ban on powerful searchlights and sky spotlights at night-time and regulate the installation of street-lighting and outdoor lights in such a way as to reduce as far as possible their disruptive effect on plants, insects and other fauna.  

Furthermore, Government should legislate to ensure a properly enforced reduction in pesticide use, whilst assisting farmers to make the required shifts in their practice.

And lastly but most importantly, it drastically needs to step up the enforcement of laws protecting natural habitats, which are crucial as feeding and breeding grounds for all species including such iconic insects as butterflies and bees.

Insects are important not only for their functions but also as a beautiful part of the holistic totality of nature, and provide both delight and instruction to many who enjoy watching them go about their lives in their natural habitat.

Our legislators, the NGO said, should pay more heed to the wave of sentiment coming from their German counterparts and take action now. Wellbeing in this country can no longer play Cinderella to a free-for-all exploitation of the natural environment serving mostly the interests of the rich and their cronies.