Environment Minister George Pullicino said yesterday that the Cabinet agreed last Monday to regulate the laws on littering that will be introduced in October.

However, the first three months will serve as a trial period during which an educational campaign will be held. The rules will be introduced permanently at the beginning of next year.

He said the Cabinet agreed on three measures. The fines will be much harsher and will even double in certain places such as bays and heritage sites. In the first three months, people caught littering will not be fined, only warned. The names of these people will be registered and if they are caught littering again after 1 January 2006 they will be fined for both contraventions.

Local wardens will be given the power to fine those caught littering. The fine will be much higher than the existing one. Wardens in plain clothes will also be introduced.

Whoever is caught dumping waste illegally will have his vehicles confiscated and will have to pay for the cleaning of the site. Through an environment fund set up in 2002, part of this fine will go to the local councils and MEPA to enforce regulations.

Speaking on Radio 101, Mr Pullicino also revealed that the Cabinet Committee on Tourism has agreed to start implementing all MEPA conditions in every building site, starting from those in tourist areas. Strict enforcement will ensure that all MEPA conditions are being met, such as enclosing the site of construction. A brochure is also being prepared to inform contractors what they must do. Enforcement will be extended to the whole island by the end of the year.

He added that WasteServ asked all local councils to choose their bring-in sites but not all councils have replied. By the end of this year, too, there will be five civic amenities around the country where people can drive in and dump their bulk waste.

Mr Pullicino said the planned artificial islands will help in generating investment to improve the environment.

MEPA has finalised the preliminary study. In a few days’ time the Prime Minister will give further details such as the places where these islands might be built.

Malta has good potential for such a project, surrounded as it is by sea, he continued. The coast and sea water will be protected, Mr Pullicino said.

These islands would be the responsibility of the private sector and utilised for commercial purposes, which in turn would generate economic activity.