The Environment Ministry expressed disappointment at the way Alternattiva Demokratika was trying to make political capital out of the harm being caused by the red palm weevil, without checking the facts.

AD, the ministry said, had implied that the weevil was brought to Malta in trees used for afforestation projects. In fact the insect thrived only on palm trees and afforestation projects did not plant palms but indigenous trees such as carob and olive trees. And most of the trees used in afforestation projects were not imported, but grown in local nurseries by the Environmental Landscapes Consortium or NGOs such as the Gaia Foundation.

The ministry said it had also verified that whenever palm trees were imported for government embellishment projects their number was limited and the trees were always certified.

AD’s statement might also be taken to mean that the weevil had hit Malta only. In fact the European Commission has urged emergency measures against the weevil.

The ministry said its Department of Plant Health was taking all the measures necessary to control the weevil. Inspections were being made every day in public and private areas and meetings have been held with local councils.

Any doubts about a weevil infection should be reported to the department by phoning on 2339-7205 or 2339-7223.