Their spokesman said it was encouraging to see environmental issues playing a bigger part than previously in the election agenda because environmental amelioration was one of the popular reasons for Malta acceding to the ECU.

In its appeal to the parties, Nature Trust focused on various issues the main ones being that the Mediterranean region should be placed higher on the ECU agenda. Nature Trust is part of a

network called South Access which involves environmental NGOs from the European Mediterranean region. This network is working for the Mediterranean to enjoy a higher profile within the EU.

So far more importance is being given to the Eastern bloc of new countries and the NGO feels that now the EU’s Mediterranean borders have widened with the accession of Malta and Cyprus, this region should enjoy a high profile in all areas of the environment –

fisheries, marine ecology,

pollution control etc.

Nature Trust is also pushing for the deadlines for the practical implementation of EU environmental directives on air, water and waste to be met, for sustainable development to be the preferred way for the Maltese Islands, for areas of ecological importance to be included in the Europe-wide NATURA 2000 network, for the EU Birds Directive to be implemented to the full and for animal rights issues to be included at EU level.

Another main issue is the NGO legislation. NGOs in EU member states can apply for EU funding for their projects.

NGOs in Malta are experiencing great difficulty in tapping into such opportunities because the country does not have NGO registration laws. Nature Trust appeals to all the parties to push for such legislation to be put in place.

Nature Trust emphasised that it is a non-political NGO and thus will not support any one party. It supports all those MEP candidates who promise to promote environmental issues in Malta and Europe – issues which affect our economy, health, tourism and many other sectors.

Malta has to apply sustainable development practices where the economy, social issues and the environment are considered together and there is full public participation.