The European Commission will be lodging an official complaint with the Maltese government for failing to comply with European Union directives when it unilaterally decided and announced its plans for golf courses, Labour member of the European Parliament Joseph Muscat said yesterday.

The step will be taken following his intervention.

European Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas sent Mr Muscat a letter in which he informed him that after the Commission examined the information he had submitted, it was decided to file an official complaint with the Maltese authorities.

“An official complaint will be opened and the matter will be raised with the Maltese authorities. I have asked that you should be kept informed of our contacts with the authorities,” wrote Commissioner Dimas.

The Commission decided to take this important step following a number of questions put by Joseph Muscat. The questions concerned the apparent non-compliance with the Strategic Environment Assessment before the Maltese government announced the golf course policy, including the proposed golf course development in Ghajn Tuffieha.

The Strategic Environment Directive demands that studies and consultations take place prior to any policy decision that could have major effects on the environment.

Mr Muscat argued that a single golf course would take up at least 0.5 percent of the country’s total surface area and thus it falls within the scope of the directive. In view of these arguments, Commissioner Dimas asked the Commission services to investigate the case and decided to lodge an official complaint with the Maltese government.

Commenting following the publication of Mr Dimas’ letter, Joseph Muscat said that the Maltese government should now state its position on the issue. The government first protracted for many years on the golf courses issue, then indicated areas which were not even earmarked by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority for such developments, and now it has gone silent.

On the other hand, Labour is being consistent in saying that the development of golf courses must be environmentally, socially and economically sustainable.

“This is another example of how Labour works in favour of the environment in line with its Environment Plan. We are showing that we can bridge together our local, national and European efforts in order to deliver effectively,” Mr Muscat said.