Around 6,000 people have signed the petition opposing the appeal related to the application for a waste recycling plant at Wied Garnaw in the south of Malta, and the petition has been tabled in parliament.

In a statement, Labour MP Karl Chircop urged the Malta Environment and Planning Authority Appeals Board to reject the appeal lodged by the developers who are proposing the development.

Dr Chircop said this was not a political issue but an issue which would affect everyone, especially those living in the south of the island. He thanked the residents and mayors of Gudja, Tarxien, Paola, Santa Lucija and Ghaxaq for their support in the fight against this proposed development.

Dr Chircop asked why it took so long for the Appeals Board to be set up to hear the appeal. Environmental issues should not be left suspended and should be decided quickly and without delay.

He said a waste recycling plant should not be placed in a green area but in an industrial zone.