The government has said in reply to a Labour Party statement that Malta will have a landfill for dangerous waste by up to another 18 months, Labour MP Leo Brincat, party spokesman for the environment said.

All that this reply does is to confirm that the government will be eight years late in implementing a promise it made in 2001, with the commitment having been made that such a landfill would be operational by 2004.

What was of concern, apart from this inordinate delay, is the fact that no one seems to know what is happening to the thousands of tonnes of dangerous waste being generated each year in Malta, Mr Brincat added.

The public expects assurances that the authorities are in full control of the situation and that there are safeguards to protect public health, and that dangerous waste is being managed according to EU regulations.